Comprehensive Description
provided by Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology
Scarus perspicillatus Steindachner
Scarus perspicillatus Steindachner, 1879, p. 16, pl. 4: fig. I.—Gosline and Brock, 1960, p. 238 [Hawaiian Islands].
See Schultz (1958, p. 57) for other synonyms.
Characterized by having 4 median predorsal scales, 2 rows of scales on cheek, with only 0 to 3 scales in 2nd row (all other species in this genus have 5 to 8 scales in 2nd row), ii,13 pectoral fin rays; lips not covering white teeth. See Schultz (1958, p. 58, fig. 21) for a description of the color pattern.
The United States Coast Guard has sent to me one specimen, USNM 201173, taken at Kure Atoll, Hawaiian Islands.
RANGE.—Hawaiian Islands.
Scarus venosus Cuvier and Valenciennes
Scarus venosus Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1839, p. 212.—Schultz, 1958, p. 60, fig. 22.—Kamohara, 1963, p. 11, pl. 3: fig. 3 [Okinawa].
Xanothon venosus.—Smith, 1959, p. 268, 278, pl. 44H.—Munro, 1967, p. 435, fig. 823 [New Guinea].
Pseudoscarus pentazona Bleeker, 1861, p. 241.
Xanothon pentazona.—Smith, 1956, p. 7, pl. 44H.
Pseudoscarus schlegeli Bleeker, 1861, p. 242.
Scarus schlegeli.—Schultz, 1958, p. 59, pl. 10D; 1960, p. 245.—Kamohara, 1963, p. 11, pl. 3: fig. 4 [Japan].
Scarus cypho Seale, 1901, p. 95.
Pseudoscarus collana var. eques Steindachner, 1907, p. 151.
Characterized by having 4 median predorsal scales, 2 rows of scales on cheek, ii,12 pectoral fin rays, lips almost covering white teeth; black spot at dorsal edge of pectoral base; immature and females with 5 vertical dark bars on side of body separated by yellow coloration; canines at corner of mouth of adult males, latter with 2 pale bars (yellowish when alive) below dorsal fin, separated by a brownish bar, sometimes anterior pale bar expanded to cover dorsal half of head; dorsal and anal fins edged with a dusky streak (green when alive); background coloration purplish red, each scale marked with a green bar; center of dorsal and anal fins pinkish except for streaks formed by green spots.
Mr. J. Howard Choat in a letter dated 6 December 1965 suggested that S. venosus and S. schlegeli represented female and male, respectively. My recent study of this problem tends to confirm his opinion.
RANGE.—Western Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean.
Scarus taeniurus Cuvier and Valenciennes
Scarus ghobban [not Forskål] Rüppell, 1828, p. 78 [Catalog no. 1860.11.9.98 in British Museum].—Smith, 1959, p. 268.
Scarus taeniurus Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1839, p. 257 [lectotype: Catalog no. 554 in Paris Museum].—Schultz, 1958, p. 61, fig. 8; 1960, p. 245.—Kamohara, 1963, p. 12, pl. 4: fig. 2 [Japan].
Scarus baliensis Bleeker, 1849, p. 8 [lectotype: Catalog no. 1861.2.28.48 in British Museum].
Pseudoscarus baliensis [in part].—Bleeker, 1862, p. 39 [not pl. 16: fig. 3].
Scarus bataviensis Bleeker, 1857, p. 342.
Pseudoscarus bataviensis.—Bleeker, 1862, p. 48, pl. 12: fig. 3.
Pseudoscarus forskalii var. fuscopurpureus Klunzinger, 1871, p. 567 [lectotype: Catalog no. 1871.7.15.13 in British Museum].
Xanothon carifanus Smith, 1956, p. 6, pl. 42D; 1959, pp. 268, 278, pl. 42D.
Pseudoscarus oktodon Bleeker, 1861, p. 235; 1862, p. 33, pl. 13: fig. 2.
Callyodon oktodon Fourmanoir, 1957, p. 187 [Nossi-bè].
Xanothon oktodon.—Smith, 1956, p. 7, pl. 51K; 1959, p. 278, pl. 41K.—Munro, 1967, p. 436, fig. 825 [New Guinea].
Xanothon frenatus [not Lacepède] Smith, 1956, p. 5, pl. 42G.
Xanothon fowleri Smith, 1956, p. 5, pl. 42G; 1959, p. 268, pl. 42G.
See Schultz (1958, p. 61) for other synonyms.
Characterized by having 4 median predorsal scales, 2 rows of scales on cheek; pectoral rays ii,12; lips covering white teeth; black spot at upper base of pectoral fin.
Coloration of adult male in alcohol: Rear half of body pale (light green when alive) from below base of dorsal spines VII or VIII to just in front of anus, then anteriorly body dark (brownish green when alive); edges of both lips pale (green when alive); when alive, a red or green band to corner of mouth; behind crossband on chin a green band connecting with a green streak along midventral line to base of pelvics; lower side of head with a green blotch; on snout, dorsal to red (2nd) band a green band extending
Characters forsteir taeniurus
Dark spot between dorsal spines I and II in juveniles and immature adults absent present
Distal margin of caudal fin with: dusky band with a submarginal dark line pale or very narrow white edge; no submarginal dark line
Caudal fin with dark vertical bars or cross-bars absent present
Caudal fin with lengthwise dark streaks present absent
Color pattern of snout and edges of upper lips of adults green, forming a band that extends to the eye; no red interspace in green band across snout very narrow green margin, then a pale interspace (red when alive) separating the broad band across snout that extends to eye
to below eye, thence to rear of operculum; distal edges of anal and of dorsal green, bounded submarginally by a black line; center of anal crossed by a narrow dusky streak; outer edges of caudal lobes green with a submarginal black line. Center of cheek pale, bright yellow when alive.
This species occurs abundantly in collections made in the Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean, and Red Sea.
Among the species of Scarus with 4 predorsal scales, 2 rows of scales on cheek, ii,12 pectoral rays, and with lips mostly covering white teeth, great confusion exists as to how many species should be recognized.
Smith (1959, p. 278) recognized the following species in this relationship: S. fowleri (Smith), S. bataviensis Bleeker, S. carifanus (Smith), S. venosus Cuvier and Valenciennes, S. oktodon (Bleeker), and S. margaritus Cartier.
Scarus venosus with 4 vertical dark bars on the side was recognized by Schultz (1958, p. 60) as a valid species. Scarus margaritus, with the dark spot in the center of a pale caudal peduncular area, I reaffirm is a synonym of Scarus sordidus, which has ii,13 or less frequently ii,12 pectoral fin rays (Table 8). This leaves four of Smith’s nominal species that I refer to the taeniurus-forsteri complex.
Fortunately the IIOE and other recent expeditions have collected specimens that make it possible for me to re-examine this complex problem. In general, two clearly defined species can be distinguished. They share certain characteristics such as a black spot at the dorsal base of the pectoral fin; and a dark submarginal line bordering the inner edge of the distinctly blue-edged dorsal and anal fins on the half-grown specimens and adults. Table 8 lists the significant differences between the two species.
Smith (1959, pl. 42G) illustrates a parrotfish of this relationship as S. fowleri Smith 1956, and among the newly collected specimens is one, 275 mm standard length, on loan from Dr. Steinitz, from the Red Sea, and another, 220 mm, collected by the IIOE from the Indian Ocean. Both have color patterns as shown on Smith’s Plate 42G (1959). Since both specimens have dark vertical color bars in the caudal fin, the distal blue edges of both dorsal and anal fins have black submarginal lines, a black spot at the upper edge of the pectoral base, exactly as shown in the illustration of S. fowleri (Smith), I conclude that the latter nominal species is probably the male of S. taeniurus Cuvier and Valenciennes. Smith seems to have been confused about the black pectoral spot because he states (1956, p. 5): “There is a black mark in the pectoral axil,” but later (1959, p. 268) he says: “No dark spot on pectoral base.” Scarus fowleri, however, does have the black spot at the upper edge of the pectoral base.
Schultz (1958, p. 52) incorrectly referred fowleri Smith to the synonymy of Scarus javanicus Bleeker; the latter differs by having 3 rows of scales on the cheek instead of 2 as in S. fowleri.
Scarus carifanus (Smith) (1956, p. 6, pl. 42D; 1959, p. 268, pl. 42D) also appears to be S. taeniurus. Smith (1959, p. 268) states: “I am inclined to suspect that carifanus Smith, 1956, is the female [of fowleri].”
Scarus baliensis Bleeker, 1849 (p. 8), presents confusion; the two types examined by me in the British Museum belong to different species. The one from Bali (Catalog No. 1861.2.28.48, standard length 98 mm, with 4 predorsal scales, 2 rows of scales on the cheek, ii,12 pectoral rays, and dorsal edge of pectoral base with a black spot) is the same as S. taeniurus Cuvier and Valenciennes. I select this specimen as lectotype. The other specimen in the British Museum (Catalog no. 1864.5.15.23, with 3 rows of scales on the cheek) appears to be S. formosus Cuvier and Valenciennes.
Schultz (1958, p. 61) referred Pseudoscarus baliensis Bleeker [not Bleeker, 1849], 1862 (pl. 16: fig. 3), to S. taeniurus, but a reexamination of this plate shows 6 or 7 predorsal scales and 3 rows of scales on the cheek. Possibly the artist made an error in number of predorsal scales when he drew specimen number 1864.5.15.23 since this type-specimen has only 4 predorsal scales. That plate is not positively identifiable.
An examination of the type of Scarus bataviensis Bleeker, 1857 (p. 342) (British Museum Catalog no. 1864.5.15.45, standard length 280 mm), reveals that the type has the same coloration as shown by Bleeker (1862, pl. 12: fig. 3). This type is selected as lectotype. Scarus bataviensis Bleeker therefore becomes a junior synonym of S. taeniurus Cuvier and Valenciennes.
Scarus scaber [in part] Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1839 (p. 14), is represented by two types in the Paris Museum, one of which (Catalog no. 588) was selected as lectotype by Schultz (1958, p. 92). The other (Catalog no. 1733) with 4 predorsal scales, 2 rows of scales on the cheek, ii,12 pectoral rays, black spot upper edge of pectoral base, and a brown spot between dorsal spines I and II is S. taeniurus.
The following are from the Chagas Archipelágo, Diego Garcia Atoll, collected by the IIOE in 1967: Sta. HA67–3, 12 June, 5 spec, 39–69 mm; Sta. HA–67–6, 14 June, 3 spec, 107–149 mm; Sta. HA67–38, 9 July, 3 spec, 91–122 mm; Sta HA67–51, 23 July, 8 spec, 56–126 mm.
Dr. V. G. Springer collected the following in 1966 from One Tree Island off Queensland: Sta. VGS–66–13, 30 November, 1 spec, 102 mm; Sta. VGS–66–14, 1 December, 3 spec, 67–134 mm; Sta. VGS–66–19, 11 December, 6 spec, 58–100 mm.
Recently collected specimens: USNM 202519, Nossi-Bè, 1 spec.; USNM 202520, 1 from entrance Port Kilindini, 4°5′12″S, 39°40’45″ E; USNM 202522, 1 from Comoro Islands; USNM 202521, 1 from Fiji; USNM 202523, 1 from Mentawei Islands, Indonesia; USNM 202524, 2 from Tulear Harbor, Madagascar; USNM 202525, 7 from Fiji; USNM 202574, 1 from near Aden; USNM 202575, 6 from Red Sea; USNM 202577, 3 from Nossi-Bè USNM 202579 and 202604, 23 from Amirantes Islands; USNM 202580, 1 from Comoro Islands; USNM 202595, 2 from Mauritius; USNM 202601 and 202603, 4 from North Island, Farquhar Islands; USNM 202605, 19 from Guam; USNM 202606, 1 from Bora Bora Island.
RANGE.—Hawaiian Islands, central and western Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean, and Red Sea.
Scarus forsteri Cuvier and Valenciennes
Scarus forsteri Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1839, p. 275 [neotype: USNM 202607 from Tahiti].—Schultz, 1958, p. 64, figs. 2, 23; 1960, p. 246.
Scarus quoyi [in part] Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1839, p. 273, [only type no. A9292].
Pseudoscarus forskalii [in part] Klunzinger, 1871, p. 566 [type no. 71.7.15.4, in British Museum, seen by Smith, 1959, p. 268), and identified as S. bataviensis Bleeker].
Pseudoscarus filholi Sauvage, 1879, p. 225.
Scarus gilberti Jenkins, 1900, p. 59, fig. 17.
Scarus jenkinsi Jordan and Evermann, 1903, p. 195.
Xanothon bataviensis [not Bleeker] Smith, 1956, p. 6, pl. 41A; 1959, p. 268, pl. 41A.—Munro, 1967, p. 435, fig. 824 [New Guinea].
Xanothon parvidens Smith, 1956, p. 7, pl. 45E.
Schultz (1958, p. 64, figs. 9, 23) characterized this species as having 4 median predorsal scales, 2 rows of scales on cheeck, ii,12 pectoral rays, lips nearly covering white teeth, black spot at upper base of pectoral fin, and both lips green edged, the green on upper lip forming a green band from snout to below eye, blackish submarginal line bordering blue distal edges of median fins, including caudal fin, latter with dark lengthwise streaks and rays red.
The validity of Scarus forsteri Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1839 (p. 275), as recognized by Schultz (1958, p. 64) was rejected by Smith (1956; 1959, p. 268) as unidentifiable. Unfortunately, Schultz (1958, pp. 64–66) did not give reasons for his identification and recognition of the earliest name, S. forsteri.
Following is a comparison of my translation of Cuvier and Valenciennes’ description with that of Smith (1956, pl. 41A) (the latter description in brackets):
… green with red spots on the scales [blue-green with red margins on scales]; ventrally blue with 2 series of green spots [belly blue with 3 lengthwise purple streaks]; head green with blue lips [head blue-green with blue lips]; lower part of breast purple [this area green]; dorsal red with rays green [dorsal red], border blue [border blue]; anal with same color as dorsal [anal red, rays blue]; caudal crescent shaped [same] with its borders blue, and rays red [borders blue, rays red].
Since the type of S. forsteri Cuvier and Valenciennes has been lost (Smith, 1959, p. 268), however, and confusion may exist as to its identity, I herewith select a neotype, USNM 202607, from its type-locality, Tahiti, collected by Dr. John Randall 21 April 1957. This specimen is 220 mm in standard length and exhibits all the characteristics listed above for the species.
Smith (1959) rejected Scarus forsteri and accepted Xanothon bataviensis Bleeker, 1857 (p. 342), as the valid name for this species; however, an examination of the type in the British Museum (Catalog no. 1864.5.15.45) reveals it is S. taeniurus and not this species.
The color illustration by Smith (1956, pl. 41A; 1959, pl. 41A) of Xanothon bataviensis has the characteristics of S. forsteri in regard to the blue distal edge of the caudal fin, the lengthwise red streaks on the caudal fin, the broad green band from the upper lip to the eye, and the absence of pale (red) edges on both lips. It appears that S. forsteri was not distinguished from S. taeniurus by Smith and this may explain some of the confusion in regard to the foresteri-taeniurus complex.
Smith (1959) and I agree that the following names are junior synonyms of S. forsteri: Pseudoscarus forskalii Klunzinger, 1871 (p. 566), and Xanothon parvidens Smith, 1956 (p. 7, pl. 45E).
Another available name is Scarus quoyi Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1839 (p. 273). This name, however, introduces some confusion because the two types in the Paris Museum represent two different species. Dr. Smith and I have examined these types and agree on their identification. One (Catalog no. A9292) is Scarus forsteri. The other (no. 579) is a junior synonym of Scarus blochi Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1839 (p. 219), and, for the purpose of greater stability in nomenclature, I select specimen number 579 as lectotype for Scarus quoyi Cuvier and Valenciennes.
Recently the following specimens were collected by the Anton Bruun (IIOE): USNM 202578, Sta. RS–41, KA39, 12 February 1968, Seychelles, 4 spec; uncataloged, Sta. HA67–51, 23 July 1967, Diego Garcia Atoll, 2 spec, 140–141 mm.
RANGE.—Hawaiian Islands, central and western Pacific Ocean, and Indian Ocean.
- bibliographic citation
- Schultz, Leonard P. 1969. "The taxonomic status of the controversial genera and species of parrotfishes with a descriptive list (family Scardiae)." Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology. 1-49. https://doi.org/10.5479/si.00810282.17
