Lateralstripe Cardinalfish

Description: Characterized by pale grey to whitish body color; presence of narrow black midlateral stripe ending at base of caudal fin; greatest depth of body 2.2-2.4 in SL (Ref. 90102)

Mouthbrooders (Ref. 240). Distinct pairing during courtship and spawning (Ref. 205).

Dorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Analspines: 2; Analsoft rays: 8

Solitary or in losse groups. Found in 15-40m, caves and ledges of outer reef slopes (Ref 90102)

Apogon abrogramma

DIAGNOSIS.—A species of the subgenus Pristiapogon with a narrow, dark midbody stripe from snout to base of caudal fin, no basicaudal spot, 11–13 well-developed gillrakers.

DESCRIPTION.—Important morphometric and meristic characters are treated in Tables 1–3. For general shape and pigment pattern see Figure 1. Proportions (as percent standard length with holotype in parentheses): body depth (33.8) 30–35; head length (38.3) 38–42; eye length (11.4) 11–14; snout length (11.2) 9–12; bony interorbital width (5.9) 5–7; upper jaw length (15.8) 14–19; caudal peduncle depth (16.4) 14–16; caudal peduncle length (26.7) 22–27; dorsal spine lengths—first (2.5) 2–3, second (8.9) 8–11, third (20.0) 15–20, fourth (19.1) 16–20, spine in second dorsal (14.4) 12–14; anal spine lengths—first (2.0) 2, second (13.6) 11–14; pectoral fin length (23.7) 21–25; pelvic fin length (23.3) 21–23.

Second dorsal fin I, 9; 2 anal spines; pectoral fin usually 13 (rarely 14); pelvic fin I, 5; well-developed gillrakers 11–13 (2 upper rakers + 9 to 11 lower rakers), including rudiments 17–19 (2 to 3 rudiments + 2 rakers on upper arch; 9 to 11 rakers + 3 to 6 rudiments on lower arch), holotype 2 + 2–10 + 4; pored lateral-line scales 23–25; transverse scale rows above the lateral line 2; median predorsal scales 4–5; circumpeduncular scales 12 (5 + 2 + 5).

COLOR OF PRESERVED SPECIMENS.—The characteristic color pattern consists of a dark, horizontal midlateral body stripe extending from tip of snout to mid-base of caudal fin. This strip widest and darkest behind eye, its width about one-half diameter of eye, gradually narrowing to a thin streak on mid-caudal peduncle, usually ending at caudal fin base. Stripe may extend onto middle portion of caudal fin, but weakly developed with some dark chromatophores, or obscure. Stripe on snout less intense than on trunk and about equal in width to stripe on middle of trunk. Stripe in smaller specimens more intense than on larger ones. Opercle and base of pectoral fin variably dusky. Lower portion of head and belly with some dark, scattered chromatophores. Remainder of head and trunk pale to light dusky. Membrane immediately posterior to and attached to first, second, and third dorsal spines black, forming a narrow streak from base of first spine outward to tip. Second dorsal and anal fins with a narrow horizontal dark strip near bases. Upper and lower margins of caudal fin blackish from the procurrent ways to tips of lobes. The streak and stripes sometimes faintly developed or obscure. Remainder of these fins light dusky to pale. Pectoral and pelvic fins pale.

ETYMOLOGY.—The specific epithet abrogramma is a Greek combination and refers to the faint lateral stripe of this species.

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION.—Known from Indian Ocean localities (Figure 2) and the Philippine Islands.

MATERIAL EXAMINED.—257 specimens, the largest 114 mm SL.

Holotype: USNM 213094 (98.8), Seychelles, W of NW tip of Anonyme I., 11 Feb 1964, IIOE-ANSP sta F-44.

Paratypes: COMORO ISLANDS: USNM 211584, 16 (68–92); Grande Comore I.; 27 Nov 1964; IIOE Cr. 9, sta HA-14. USNM 211585, 23 (45–80), about 3.5 mi SW of S Pt. of Pamanzi I., 24 Nov 1964, IIOE Cr. 9, sta HA-9. USNM 211586, 7(41–83), N coast Anjouan I., 21 Aug 1964; TE Vega Exp. sta 179, Bolin etal coll. ALDABRA ISLANDS: USNM 211587, 4 (43–78), W side of La Passe Hourareau, 10 Sep 1967, H.A. Fehlmann 67–74. USNM 211588, 2 (48, 54), SE portion of Ile Picard, 3 Dec 1964, IIOE Cr. 9, HA-16. ALPHONSE ISLAND: RUSI 3309 (87), 2 Nov 1954. AMIRANTE ISLES: USNM 211589, 12 (52–81), St. Joseph Is., Ressource I., 8 Dec 1964, IIOE Cr. 9, HA-19, USNM 211590, 9 (14–75), D'Arros I., 5 Mar 1964, IIOE-ANSP sta F-87. SEYCHELLES: ANSP 127821, 12 (69–89), Praslin I., E of St. Ann's Bay, 22 Feb 1964, IIOE-ANSP sta F-59. RUSI 3308, 2 (111, 114), Mahé, 29 Sep 1954. USNM 211591, 7 (69–100), taken with holotype. CHAGOS ARCHIPELAGO: USNM 211592, 5 (45–76), Diego Garcia Atoll, 20 Jul 1967, H.A. Fehlmann sta 67–49. USNM 211593, 5 (57–75), Diego Garcia Atoll, 26Jun 1967, H.A. Fehlmann sta 67–18. USNM 211594, 2 (43, 44), Diego Garcia Atoll, H.A. Fehlmann sta 67–17. USNM 211595, 2 (79, 84), Diego Garcia Atoll, 18Jun 1967, H.A. Fehlmann sta 67–11. WEST OF SUMATRA: USNM 211596, 26 (32–82), off Pulo Siburu, Mentawei Is., 30 Nov 1963, Te Vega sta 104. USNM 211597, 5 (34–62), Pulo Siburu, Mentawei Is., 1 Dec 1963, Te Vega sta 103. MADAGASCAR: USNM IIOE-J. Rudloe sta 72, 5 (77–88), Nossi Bé, 14 Feb 1964. USNM IIOE J. Rudloe sta 76, 2 (21, 35), Nossi Bé, 18 Feb 1964. ST. BRANDON SHOALS: USNM 225693, 15 (17–99), S of Raphael I., 8 Apr 1976, VGS 76-12. USNM 225694, 7 (81–102), 2.5 mi E of Raphael I., 4 Apr 1976, VGS 76-8. RUSI 1894, 5 (24–86), 1 mi W of Tortue I., 15 Mar 1971, T.H. Fraser SA-35. MALDIVE ISLANDS: FMNH 75797, 35 (23–78), Addu Atoll, Wilingili I., 30 Apr 1964, L.P. Woods-38. FMNH 75795, 32 (15–72), S Nilandu Atoll, 24 Apr 1964, L.P. Woods-37. FMNH 75794 (70), locality as above. FMNH 75796, 3 (25–43), Ari Atoll, 22 Apr 1964, L.P. Woods-35. FMNH 75703, 3 (21–35), Addu Atoll, 30 Apr 1964, L.P. Woods-38. FMNH 75692 (27), S Nilandu Atoll, 24 Apr 1964, L.P. Woods-37. USNM 205216, 4 (32–81), Addu Atoll, Bushy I., 10 May 1964, L.W.- 40. INDIA: FMNH 75848 (45), Mandapam Camp, 31 Jan 1964, L.P. Woods-15.

Non-type Material: COMORO ISLANDS: USNM 211598 (20), Grande Comore I. PHILIPPINES: USNM 261616, 2 (17.4, 75.5), Mactan I.