Scartichthys viridis (Valenciennes 1836)

Distinctive in having a relatively uniformly pigmented body without spots; further differentiated from S. gigas and S. variolatus in having a high number of dentary teeth, 106-131 (versus 93 or fewer).

Oviparous, distinct pairing (Ref. 205).

Dorsal spines (total): 12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 17 - 19; Anal spines: 2; Analsoft rays: 19 - 20

Found in tide pools and rocky shore areas. Is primarily herbivorous (Ref. 9032). Feeds mainly on macroalgae, tiny invertebrates usually live in association with turf macroalgae contributed little to the diet (Ref. 50629). The sheet-like green macroalgae Ulva and Enteromorpha were the main items consumed by individuals 22 cm (Ref. 36299). Large individuals possessed longer guts relative to their body length in comparison with small individuals (Ref. 36299).

Adults are found in tide pools and rocky shore areas. Are primarily herbivorous (Ref. 9032). Selectively feed on the green algae Ulva, Enteromorpha, as juveniles and favor red algae Gelidium as adults (Ref. 94105). Oviparous. Eggs are demersal and adhesive (Ref. 205), and are attached to the substrate via a filamentous, adhesive pad or pedestal (Ref. 94114). Larvae are planktonic, often found in shallow, coastal waters (Ref. 94114).

Scartichthys viridis (Valenciennes)

Salarias viridis Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1836: 344 [Valparaiso; holotype MNHN A.2128].

Salarias cuvieri Günther, 1861:248 [Chile; lectotype BMNH 1850.6.14.19 and paralectotype 1850.6.14.21, new designations] [new synonymy].

Blennophis semifasciatus Kner and Steindachner, 1866:369 [near Iquique, west coast of South America; neotype USNM 194480, new designation] [new synonymy].

Salarias concolor Philippi, 1896:380 [Valparaiso, Chile; type specimen not located, no depository listed] [new synonymy].

Salarias modestus Philippi, 1896:381 [not specified but presumably in Chile; type specimen not located, no depository listed] [new synonymy].

Salarias petersoni Fowler, 1940:189 [Antofagasta, Chile; holotype ANSP 69150] [new synonymy].

DIAGNOSIS.—Scartichthys viridis is distinctive in having a relatively uniformly pigmented body without spots. It is further differentiated from S. gigas and S. variolatus in having a high number of dentary teeth, 106–131 (versus 93 or fewer).

DESCRIPTION.—Dorsal fin XII,17–19 (18 in 78.6% of specimens); anal fin II,19–20; total procurrent caudal-fin rays 13–16; pelvic fin I,4; vertebrae 10 + 23–25 (24 in 82.6%) = 33–35 (34 in 82.6%); last pleural ribs on vertebral centrum 11–12 (12 in 69.6%); last epipleural rib on vertebral centrum 16–21; anal pterygiophores 1–1–2, 1–2–1, or 2–1–1 (1–2–1 in 65.2%); nuchal cirri 6–60 (6–40 in 88.9%); supraorbital cirri 20–51 (20–32 in 87.5%); nasal cirri 6–15 (6–12 in 88.9%); LL tubes 20–22 (21 in 63.6%); last LL tube on base of caudal fin; no scale-like flaps along LL; lower lip smooth mesially (plicate laterally); gill rakers 20–26 (based on 13 specimens); pseudobranchial filaments on one side 9–14 (based on 14 specimens); premaxillary teeth 226–268 (based on 5 specimens); dentary teeth 106–131 (based on 26 specimens; 93 in a 47 mm SL specimen); upper lip crenulae ~30–42; nuchal cirri in 2–4 groups of irregularly shaped cirri with broad separation across nape (Figure 8J); first dorsal-fin spine of adults approximately equal to second in both sexes; dorsal-fin membrane deeply incised above last dorsal-fin spine; dorsal-fin membrane attached to caudal peduncle in advance of caudal fin in adults; cephalic pore system relatively simple (less than 3 pores at most positions); male genital papilla with urogenital orifice located basally between 2 small protuberances on a fleshy swelling behind anus (Figure 14E); testes elongate, length more than twice width; maximum SL ~200 mm; pupil-size black spot on distal portion of membrane between first and second dorsal-fin spines and usually a second spot on membrane between second and third spines.

The smallest mature female (ova ~0.8 mm diameter) examined is ~170 mm SL, but females have fully developed ovaries by ~100 mm SL. Males mature by ~100 mm SL.

COLOR IN ALCOHOL.—Diffuse pupil-size black spot behind middle of posterior margin of eye at all sizes (often difficult to discern in dark specimens). Ophioblennius-stage larvae pale with 9 or 10 blotches on dorsum, pectoral fin with distal half black and proximal half pale. Adults of both sexes (Figure 20 shows a female) uniformly dark brown dorsally, becoming paler ventrally, and sometimes with midlateral dark-brown stripe (width about equal to eye diameter); all fins dusky; dorsal fin with pale area over distal tips of anterior 3 or 4 spines, other spines pale tipped, black pupil-size spot on each of first two or three interspinal membranes, spots located ventral to pale area.

COLOR IN LIFE.—Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes (1836:345) describes the life colors (from a drawing “made by Gay”) as dark green on the back and somewhat paler green on the stomach.

DISTRIBUTION.—Scartichthys viridis occurs from Independencia Bay, Peru (14°S), southward to Valparaiso, Chile (33°S) (Figure 16). Specimens have been collected from tidepools and rocky shore areas from depths of 0–10 m.

ETYMOLOGY.—The specific epithet, from the Latin viridis (green), refers to the green color of the body in life.

NOMENCLATURAL

Scartichthys viridis is a species of combtooth blenny found in the southeast Pacific ocean, from Peru to Chile. Members of this species feed primarily off of plants (including benthic algae and weeds), phytoplankton, amphipods, and mollusks. This species reaches a length of 19.7 centimetres (7.8 in) SL.