Description

SINGLE PAPER

Volume 9, Issue 2 – November 2004

Gerald R. Allen and John E. Randall: Two new species of damselfishes (Pomacentridae) from Micronesia, pp. 75-87

Abstract

Pomacentrus bipunctatus is described from 25 specimens, 11.0-61.9 mm SL, collected at Enewetak Atoll in the Marshall Islands and Truk in the eastern Caroline Islands. Adults are similar in appearance to P. spilotoceps from Fiji, but the new species differs in having fewer pectoral fin rays (17 versus 18-19) as well as marked colour differences in juveniles and subadults. Most notably, the young stages of P. spilotoceps lack bright yellow coloration on the ventral portion of the body and adjacent fins. Pomacentrus yoshii is described on the basis of 10 specimens, 41.1-69.4 mm SL, from Majuro Atoll in the southern Marshall Islands of Micronesia. It is distinguished from all Pacific members of the genus on the basis of its distinctive coloration, consisting of a blue anterior head, mainly yellowish body and fins, and large black spot covering the pectoral fin base. Pomacentrus pikei and P. sulfureus from the western Indian Ocean are similar in general apperance, but possess XIV rather than XIII dorsal fin spines. In addition, P. pikei has a much smaller spot on the pectoral fin base, which is restricted to the upper portion. On the basis of meristic features and general morphology, the new species appears to be closely related to P. philippinus from the eastern Indian Ocean and western Pacific, which differs significantly in overall colour pattern.