Aphrodite anthias

📖 Overview

Found on mesophotic coral ecosystems of the island and observed while rebreather diving. A single observation at 260 m depth was taken from a submersible dive. It inhabits small crevices of complex rocky reefs. Ambient seawater temperature at the collecting depth (ca. 120 m) varied between 13 and 15 °C during the two-week observation period .

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15 - 16; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 9; Vertebrae: 27. This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: D X, 15-16 with last dorsal spine the longest, 1.8-2.2 in head length and the 7th dorsal ray the longest, 2.65-2.80 in head length; A 9; pored lateral-line scales 32-35; ventral scale rows 9-10; body is slender and compressed, with greatest depth 2.96-3.18 in SL, width 1.77-2.09 in depth. Phylogenetic analysis shows the new species belongs to Tosanoides and differs of the other known species by: a divergence of at least 12.35% at the cytochrome oxidase I gene, last dorsal spine the longest (instead first through fourth), fewer dorsal-fin rays (15-16 vs. 16-17), and more anal-fin rays (9 vs. 8) : fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Aphrodite anthias is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Aphrodite anthias is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Reproduction data for Aphrodite anthias is currently being compiled.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; reef-associated; depth range 100 - 260 m , usually 100 - 130 m . Tropical; 13°C - 15°C Southwest Atlantic: Brazil (St.

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

👥 Community & Contribute