Description

SINGLE PAPER

Volume 8, Issue 1 – November 2003

John E. Randall and John L. Earle: Novaculoides, a new genus for the Indo-Pacific labrid fish Novaculichthys macrolepidotus, pp. 37-43

Abstract

The new genus Novaculoides is proposed for one species of labrid fish previously classified as Novaculichthys macrolepidotus (Bloch). The genus is distinct from Novaculichthys in possessing the following characters: anterior pair of canine teeth in jaws curving laterally; two or three oblique rows of small embedded scales on cheek; head short, its length 3.4-3.65 in SL; body moderately elongate, the depth 2.8-3.0 in standard length; longest dorsal and anal soft rays about equal in length; pelvic fins of males often longer than head, 3.1-4.2 in standard length. Novaculichthys is now monotypic for the species taeniourus (Lacépède).