| Family: |
Scaridae (Parrotfishes), subfamily: Sparisomatinae |
| Max. size: |
30.5 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 10 - 25 m |
| Distribution: |
Southwestern Atlantic: off Brazil, Trindade Island. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-10; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 9-9. This species is distinguished from its Southwestern Atlantic congeners by the following unique colour characters: initial phase (IP) is red overall with a brownish shade from lower jaw to over the abdominal cavity, sparse orange blotches on head, and a pale circumpeduncular band. The terminal phase (TP) on the other hand is reddish brown with orange stripe from jaw angle to end of preopercle, sparse orange blotches on head, with 3 pinkish to reddish stripes from about midline to dorsum, from midline to belly pale greyish green to whitish with suffusion of pale reddish brown, a black spot on base of pectoral fins and a bright-yellow blotch below this spot. Furthermore, mitochondrial 12S and 16S rRNA loci sequences do not match any known Sparisoma species (Ref. 84274). |
| Biology: |
This species is a scraper and has been recorded to graze upon epilithic algae growing on rocky and calcareous substrata at 10-25 m depth. The males are solitary, whereas the females may be seen alone or in couples and accompanied by juveniles. These juveniles are small, about 2-5 cm, and associate with mixed groups of the labrids Halichoeres penrosei and Thalassoma noronhanum, which have a similar colour pattern. This association may be considered as a form of social mimicry (Ref. 84274). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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