ZORAMIA VIRIDIVENTER - (GREENFIELD, LANGSTON & RANDALL, 2005)
Actinopterygii (Gigaclass) > Actinopteri (Class) > Teleostei (Subclass) > Gobiiformes (Order) > Apogonoidei (Suborder) > Apogonidae (Family) > Apogoninae (Subfamily) > Zoramia (Genus)
Green belly apogon, Apogon à ventre vert.
-----------------------------------
Description
Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 9. Max length : 4.2 cm SL. Depth range 0 - 50 m, usually 2 - 17 m.
Dorsal-fin elements VI-I,9; anal-fin elements II,9; last dorsal-fin and anal-fin rays branched to base; pectoral-fin rays 14, uppermost and lower two or three unbranched; pelvic-fin rays I,5, all branched; principal caudal-fin rays 17, upper and lower unbranched; lateral-line scales to caudal-fin base 24 (plus one smaller pored scale extending onto base of fin); two near-equal scales above lateral line to base of first two dorsal-fin spines, followed by a series of large scales in a single row below remaining spines and second dorsal fin, these scales overlapping all but narrow upper part of scales below; scales below lateral line to origin of anal fin 5; predorsal scales 6; circumpeduncular scales 12; total gill rakers on first gill arch 6 + 26 (6–7 + 24–27), only one with 7 rakers on upper limb (raker at angle included in lower count). Body depth 2.6 (2.55–3.3) in SL (specimens less than about 34 mm progressively more slender); body very compressed, the width 2.8 (2.65–2.8) in body depth; head length 2.55 (2.4–2.55) in SL; dorsal profile of head straight; snout length 3.9 (3.95–4.2) in head length; orbit diameter 2.65 (2.6–2.8) in head length; bony interorbital width 4.45 (4.1–4.65) in head length; caudal-peduncle depth 2.4 (2.5–2.75) in head length; caudal-peduncle length 1.6 (1.55–1.7) in head length.
Mouth very oblique, forming an angle of about 50° to horizontal axis of head, the lower jaw strongly projecting; maxilla extending to below center of eye, the upper-jaw length 2.25 (2.2–2.4) in head length; posterior end of maxilla with a distinct angular notch; dentition as in the genus. Tongue narrowly triangular with rounded tip, the upper surface with small papillae. Gill rakers well developed, the longest on lower limb nearly half orbit diameter in length. Anterior nostril a small, short, membranous tube on side of snout, slightly more than half distance from fleshy edge of orbit to median anterior point of upper lip; posterior nostril a narrow elliptical opening at level of upper edge of pupil, its length about one-fourth pupil diameter. Suborbital margin smooth, ending below center of eye; preopercular ridge slightly irregular, but without serrae; posterior three-fourths of ventral edge of preopercle and ventral half of posterior edge finely serrate. Origin of dorsal fin over third to fourth lateral-line scales, the predorsal length 2.4 (2.4–2.5) in SL; first dorsal-fin spine 3.9 (3.45–4.05) in head length; second or third dorsal-fin spines longest, 1.9 (1.85–2.15) in head length; spine of second dorsal fin 2.3 (2.35–2.5) in head length; first dorsal soft ray longest (second ray nearly as long), 1.5 (1.45–1.5) in head length; first anal-fin spine very short, 7.75 (7.1–8.4) in head length; second anal-fin spine 2.8 (2.5–3.0) in head length; first anal soft ray longest (second ray nearly as long), 1.75 (1.45–1.8) in head length; caudal fin 3.1 (2.9–3.1) in SL; caudal concavity 3.05 (3.0–3.15) in head length; pectoral fins 1.5 (1.5–1.6) in head length, the third or fourth rays longest; pelvic fins reaching or extending slightly beyond anus, the first or second soft rays longest, 1.75 (1.65–1.85) in head length.
Color of holotype in alcohol pale yellowish on head and body, a little dusky dorsally on nape, along base of dorsal fins, and dorsally on caudal peduncle; a roundish black spot posteriorly on caudal peduncle slightly more than half pupil diameter in size; scattered melanophores on posterior half of caudal peduncle but far less than the density dorsally on body; a faint broad dusky band on side of snout centered slightly below middle of eye; spines and rays of fins translucent yellowish, only the first two dorsal-fin spines and membranes a little dusky; remaining membranes of fins translucent; tips of caudal-fin lobes blackish (faint on lower lobe); the black digestive tract is visible as a faint dark area of the abdomen, becoming near-black as the intestine nears the anus.
Color of holotype when fresh. The body other than the abdomen is translucent, making the vertebral column visible, and the small blue spots are apparent on the operculum and upper abdomen.
Underwater photographs of aggregations of this species may show individuals with or without black tips on the caudal lobes. More often than not, at least the upper lobe shows a blackish distal end. As mentioned above, museum specimens often have abraded fins, especially the caudal, so black tips, had they been present, were lost.
Etymology
Zoramia: etymology not explained, perhaps from Greek, zoros = sheer, pure + from Greek, amia, -as = a kind of bonito. Name given by Aristotle to a fish (Later name applied to Apogon by Gronow (1763), now a commonly used suffix in the family). Referring to their partial transparency.
viridventer: from Latin, viridis = green + from Latin, venter = abdomen. Reffering to the green coloration usually present on the abdomen in life, at least in adults.
Original description: Zoramia viridiventer Greenfield, Langston & Randall 2005 - Type locality: lagoon side of Pig Island (Tab Island), Madang Province, Papua New Guinea, depth 17 meters.
Distribution
Indo-Pacific: Indonesia east to Samoa north to Japan south to Australia. Reported from New Caledonia.
Biology
This species is usually seen in aggregations in lagoons or bays, sheltering among branching corals, sponges, etc.
Similar species
Zoramia viridiventer differs from :
Green belly apogon, Apogon à ventre vert.
-----------------------------------
Description
Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 9. Max length : 4.2 cm SL. Depth range 0 - 50 m, usually 2 - 17 m.
Dorsal-fin elements VI-I,9; anal-fin elements II,9; last dorsal-fin and anal-fin rays branched to base; pectoral-fin rays 14, uppermost and lower two or three unbranched; pelvic-fin rays I,5, all branched; principal caudal-fin rays 17, upper and lower unbranched; lateral-line scales to caudal-fin base 24 (plus one smaller pored scale extending onto base of fin); two near-equal scales above lateral line to base of first two dorsal-fin spines, followed by a series of large scales in a single row below remaining spines and second dorsal fin, these scales overlapping all but narrow upper part of scales below; scales below lateral line to origin of anal fin 5; predorsal scales 6; circumpeduncular scales 12; total gill rakers on first gill arch 6 + 26 (6–7 + 24–27), only one with 7 rakers on upper limb (raker at angle included in lower count). Body depth 2.6 (2.55–3.3) in SL (specimens less than about 34 mm progressively more slender); body very compressed, the width 2.8 (2.65–2.8) in body depth; head length 2.55 (2.4–2.55) in SL; dorsal profile of head straight; snout length 3.9 (3.95–4.2) in head length; orbit diameter 2.65 (2.6–2.8) in head length; bony interorbital width 4.45 (4.1–4.65) in head length; caudal-peduncle depth 2.4 (2.5–2.75) in head length; caudal-peduncle length 1.6 (1.55–1.7) in head length.
Mouth very oblique, forming an angle of about 50° to horizontal axis of head, the lower jaw strongly projecting; maxilla extending to below center of eye, the upper-jaw length 2.25 (2.2–2.4) in head length; posterior end of maxilla with a distinct angular notch; dentition as in the genus. Tongue narrowly triangular with rounded tip, the upper surface with small papillae. Gill rakers well developed, the longest on lower limb nearly half orbit diameter in length. Anterior nostril a small, short, membranous tube on side of snout, slightly more than half distance from fleshy edge of orbit to median anterior point of upper lip; posterior nostril a narrow elliptical opening at level of upper edge of pupil, its length about one-fourth pupil diameter. Suborbital margin smooth, ending below center of eye; preopercular ridge slightly irregular, but without serrae; posterior three-fourths of ventral edge of preopercle and ventral half of posterior edge finely serrate. Origin of dorsal fin over third to fourth lateral-line scales, the predorsal length 2.4 (2.4–2.5) in SL; first dorsal-fin spine 3.9 (3.45–4.05) in head length; second or third dorsal-fin spines longest, 1.9 (1.85–2.15) in head length; spine of second dorsal fin 2.3 (2.35–2.5) in head length; first dorsal soft ray longest (second ray nearly as long), 1.5 (1.45–1.5) in head length; first anal-fin spine very short, 7.75 (7.1–8.4) in head length; second anal-fin spine 2.8 (2.5–3.0) in head length; first anal soft ray longest (second ray nearly as long), 1.75 (1.45–1.8) in head length; caudal fin 3.1 (2.9–3.1) in SL; caudal concavity 3.05 (3.0–3.15) in head length; pectoral fins 1.5 (1.5–1.6) in head length, the third or fourth rays longest; pelvic fins reaching or extending slightly beyond anus, the first or second soft rays longest, 1.75 (1.65–1.85) in head length.
Color of holotype in alcohol pale yellowish on head and body, a little dusky dorsally on nape, along base of dorsal fins, and dorsally on caudal peduncle; a roundish black spot posteriorly on caudal peduncle slightly more than half pupil diameter in size; scattered melanophores on posterior half of caudal peduncle but far less than the density dorsally on body; a faint broad dusky band on side of snout centered slightly below middle of eye; spines and rays of fins translucent yellowish, only the first two dorsal-fin spines and membranes a little dusky; remaining membranes of fins translucent; tips of caudal-fin lobes blackish (faint on lower lobe); the black digestive tract is visible as a faint dark area of the abdomen, becoming near-black as the intestine nears the anus.
Color of holotype when fresh. The body other than the abdomen is translucent, making the vertebral column visible, and the small blue spots are apparent on the operculum and upper abdomen.
Underwater photographs of aggregations of this species may show individuals with or without black tips on the caudal lobes. More often than not, at least the upper lobe shows a blackish distal end. As mentioned above, museum specimens often have abraded fins, especially the caudal, so black tips, had they been present, were lost.
Etymology
Zoramia: etymology not explained, perhaps from Greek, zoros = sheer, pure + from Greek, amia, -as = a kind of bonito. Name given by Aristotle to a fish (Later name applied to Apogon by Gronow (1763), now a commonly used suffix in the family). Referring to their partial transparency.
viridventer: from Latin, viridis = green + from Latin, venter = abdomen. Reffering to the green coloration usually present on the abdomen in life, at least in adults.
Original description: Zoramia viridiventer Greenfield, Langston & Randall 2005 - Type locality: lagoon side of Pig Island (Tab Island), Madang Province, Papua New Guinea, depth 17 meters.
Distribution
Indo-Pacific: Indonesia east to Samoa north to Japan south to Australia. Reported from New Caledonia.
Biology
This species is usually seen in aggregations in lagoons or bays, sheltering among branching corals, sponges, etc.
Similar species
Zoramia viridiventer differs from :
- Zoramia leptacantha (Bleeker, 1856) by lacking the dark line on the dorsum from the origin of the first dorsal fin onto the caudal peduncle. It also has a caudal spot that Zoramia leptacantha lacks.
- Zoramia perlita (Fraser & Lachner, 1985) by lacking the dark lines just above the insertion of some of the anal-fin rays.
- Zoramia gilberti (Jordan & Seale, 1905) by lacking either a prominent or diffuse dark spot on the opercular flap.
- Zoramia flebila (Greenfield, Langston & Randall, 2005) by lacking diffuse melanophores on the caudal peduncle in addition to the small caudal spot, and by usually having black tips on the caudal fin.
- Zoramia fragilis (Smith, 1961) by having fewer gill rakers (24–27 verses 27–30), a shorter second dorsal-fin spine (18.9–21.7 verses 21.5–24.8), and a shorter second anal-fin spine (13.0–15.9 verses 15.1–17.9).