Luiz Rocha
10/01/2009, 10:52 AM
Hey guys,
It's me again with another new species. This one I think will affect you more than the previous because this species is fairly common in the aquarium trade. It is a new wrasse, well, technically not "new", but a new name nonetheless. Based on genetic data, Jack Randall and I split Halichoeres ornatissimus into two species.
We did a genetic survey of this species through its range, and genetics showed that the Hawaiian population is different and unique. Since the original description of Halichoeres ornatissimus is based on individuals from Hawaii, we had to change the name of the populations identified as this species that occur from Tahiti and the Marquesas to Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean. So, here are the photos (note the obvious color differences):
Halichoeres ornatissimus, now endemic to Hawaii (photographed in Oahu):
http://luizrocha.com/wetpixel/H_ornatissimus.jpg
Halichoeres claudia, widely distributed in the South Pacific (photographed at Christmas Island, Indian Ocean):
http://luizrocha.com/wetpixel/H_claudia.jpg
We named the species after my wife Claudia for all the support she gave me over the years. For those interested in some technical reading, you can download the PDF of the description (http://www.luizrocha.com/academic/Publications_files/Halichoeres_claudia.pdf).
Cheers,
Luiz
It's me again with another new species. This one I think will affect you more than the previous because this species is fairly common in the aquarium trade. It is a new wrasse, well, technically not "new", but a new name nonetheless. Based on genetic data, Jack Randall and I split Halichoeres ornatissimus into two species.
We did a genetic survey of this species through its range, and genetics showed that the Hawaiian population is different and unique. Since the original description of Halichoeres ornatissimus is based on individuals from Hawaii, we had to change the name of the populations identified as this species that occur from Tahiti and the Marquesas to Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean. So, here are the photos (note the obvious color differences):
Halichoeres ornatissimus, now endemic to Hawaii (photographed in Oahu):
http://luizrocha.com/wetpixel/H_ornatissimus.jpg
Halichoeres claudia, widely distributed in the South Pacific (photographed at Christmas Island, Indian Ocean):
http://luizrocha.com/wetpixel/H_claudia.jpg
We named the species after my wife Claudia for all the support she gave me over the years. For those interested in some technical reading, you can download the PDF of the description (http://www.luizrocha.com/academic/Publications_files/Halichoeres_claudia.pdf).
Cheers,
Luiz