Zippered dottyback
📖 Overview
Observed on rubble slopes at depths of 38 to 52 m; solitarily or in pairs around isolated rock-coral outcrops on otherwise low-profile sand/rubble bottoms .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 26; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 15. This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: D III,26, all segmented rays branched; A III,15; 30-34 scales in lateral series; 18-20 circumpeduncular scales; gill rakers 6 + 13; teeth of outer ceratobranchial-1 gill rakers well developed on raker tips only; rounded caudal fin with pointed tip; basal one-fifth to one-third of dorsal fin with dark stripe. The new species appears to be closely related to P. pictus (Alor, Indonesian) and P. reticulatus (off NW coast of Australia); where the 3 have similar preserved and probably live coloration (unknown for P. reticulatus), similar morphometric and meristic values, and share an unusual rounded caudal fin with a pointed tip. P. reticulatus is distinctive in having only 16 circumpeduncular scales (vs. 18-20 in P. jace, and 20 in P. pictus .: elongated; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Zippered dottyback is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; demersal; depth range 38 - 52 m . Tropical; 3°S - 5°S, 134°E - 135°E
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🔍 Similar Species
👥 Community & Contribute
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