Clark'S Snake Blenny

Found in shallow coastal outcrops with somewhat sheltered sandy bays (Ref. 9002).

Sticharium clarkae

DESCRIPTION.—Depressed tip of last segmented anal-fin ray extending to (specimens 55 mm SL and longer), or almost to (specimens less than 50 mm SL), level of caudal-fin base; upper jaw length 5.1–5.9 percent SL and pectoral-fin length 4.7–6.5 percent SL (specimens 45.0–71.5 mm SL); ventral insertions of pectoral fins above level of anal-fin base; distance between ventral insertions of pectoral fins 3.9–6.7 percent SL (specimens 45.0–71.5 mm SL). Dorsal fin XXXVIII-XLI,1; anal fin II, 35–37; anal-fin origin at a vertical from base of 3rd–6th dorsal-fin spine; pectoral-fin rays 8–11; caudal-fin 3–6 + 13 + 3–5; vertebrae 20–22 + 38–39 = 58–60; cephalic sensory canal pore positions with single pores; depressed tube of anterior nostril reaches ventrally to or beyond dorsal margin of upper lip; no hooklike process on cleithrum.

Lateral Line: Dorsoanterior series of 36–42 pores originating above vertical at anterior 1/3–½ of opercle length, extending to point below vertical from base of 2nd–6th dorsal-fin spine; posterior midlateral series of pits originating above vertical from 3rd–5th anal-fin elements, ending on posterior portion of caudal peduncle; pits appear to correlate with myomeres.

Color Pattern: Head: sides brown mottled; ventral surface pale or brown mottled; upper ¼ pale; orbital rims with dark-brown bands. Body: sides brown mottled; upper ¼ and dorsal surface pale; horizontal septum with dark marks and small white spots. Dorsal fin: pale or with narrow, faint-brown bands. Anal, pectoral, and pelvic fins: pale or brown mottled. Caudal fin: dark brown.

COMPARISON.—The 2 Sticharium species are generally similar in appearance and close examination is necessary to distinguish them. In addition to the differentiating characters given in the key, the following characters may be useful in distinguishing the species: in S. clarkae the head tends to be pointed (bluntly rounded in S. dorsale); the lower lip tends to be fleshly with a protuberance extending anteriorly beyond the upper lip (not fleshly and without a protuberance in S. dorsale); the depressed tube of the anterior nostril usually extends ventrally well beyond the dorsal margin of the upper lip (usually does not extend ventrally beyond the dorsal margin of the upper lip in S. dorsale); and the pectoral-fin rays tend to be more slender than those of S. dorsale.

ETYMOLOGY.—Named for Dr. Eugenie Clark, University of Maryland, in recognition of her continued guidance and encouragement of the senior author.

HOLOTYPE.—AMS I.16983-005, female, 55.0 mm SL, SW of Anglesea, Victoria, Australia, collected by D. Hoese and party, 19 Mar 1972.

PARATYPES.—AMS I.18470–004, female, 71.5 mm SL, Robe, South Australia, shallow rock platform, collected by D. Hoese and party, 3 Oct 1975; AMS I.20217-001, 3 females, 55.2–69.0 mm SL, Montague Island (36°15′S, 150°14′E), New South Wales, collected by R. Kuiter, Dec 1977; AMS I. 20233-018, female, 49.1 mm SL, male, 45.0 mm SL, Canal Rocks, Cape Naturaliste, Western Australia, collected by B. Russell, 1 Apr 1978.

The dusky crawler (Sticharium clarkae) is a species of clinid native to the coast of southern Australia, where it lives around coastal outcrops in which it can find partially sheltered, sandy bays. It can be found at depths from 5 to 10 m (16 to 33 ft). It can reach a maximum total length of 8 cm (3.1 in). The specific name of this clinid honours ichthyologist Eugenie Clark (1922-2015) of the University of Maryland.