Labrisomus kalisherae

Diagnosis: The modal fin-ray count of D-XIX,11 A-II,19 and P-13 is shared by the 19-spined trio of L. kalisherae, L. gobio, and L. guppyi, as well as by Malacoctenus aurolineatus (but usually with 14 pectoral-fin rays). Note that almost 90% of L. kalisherae individuals have 19 dorsal-fin spines. The fin-ray count falls within the upper or lower range for most other Labrisomus species and both M. delalandii and M. gilli. (DNA) Ecology: The downy blenny is an uncommon small blenny found mostly in inshore shallow habitats, particularly associated with algae and rubble. The species ranges from Florida and the S. Gulf of Mexico along the continental coast and across the Southern Caribbean to NE Venezuela (where it is the only 19- or 20-spined Labrisomus species), Noronha, and mainland Brazil. However, it is common only in cooler and/or turbid-water areas such as the inshore reefs of Belize and Florida, Venezuela, and Brazil. It appears to be replaced by L. bucciferus in warmer clear-water areas such as the Bahamas, the Antilles, and the offshore barrier reef and atolls in Belize. Unfortunately, the 19, 20, and 21-spined Labrisomus are very similar morphologically and are frequently confused in guidebooks and photographs. All six species share the blunt-headed and goggle-eyed appearance, at least as juveniles, i.e. the snout length (bony orbit to jaw tip) is less than two-thirds of the orbit diameter. Adult downy blennies are recognized in the field mostly by the absence of an opercular ocellus, intensely spotted fins, especially the anal fin, relatively long first two dorsal-fin spines (and, on close inspection, only two submandibular pores). Juveniles are particularly difficult to separate, since the distinguishing markings for each species are either not well-developed or shared by other species at this early stage (but see description below). L. kalisherae larvae are unknown or unrecognized in collections. Description: (pre-transitional larvae have not been identified, but are likely identical among the 19-spined Labrisomus, see L. guppyi) Transitional stage: Transitional L. kalisherae larvae have not been identified. Juveniles: L. kalisherae juveniles have dark bars on the body that extend onto the fins. The last dark bar ends on the caudal-fin base outlining three light spots. Although there can be a dark spot on the operculum, it is not an ocellus with a thin rim. The ventral and pectoral fins have dark spotting, with 5 or 6 distinct dark bands along the pelvic fin-rays. The first dorsal-fin spine is relatively long, about half the body depth at the dorsal-fin origin, and similar in length or slightly shorter than the mid-fin spines. Analogues: Transitional L. kalisherae larvae likely differ from the other 19-spined Labrisomus only by the length of the first dorsal-fin spine, which should be relatively long, not distinctly shorter than the fourth to sixth spines. The juveniles of the 19- and 20-spined Labrisomus are blunt-headed, compared to the 18-spined Labrisomus (other than L. albigenys), i.e. the snout length (bony orbital margin to the tip of the closed jaw) is less than two-thirds the bony orbit diameter. Small juveniles of the blunt-headed Labrisomus are difficult to identify to species, especially since some species described with opercular ocelli can have only a diffuse dark spot on the operculum when young. In addition, those species described without ocelli can often have an outlined dark spot on the operculum (but not a thin-rimmed ocellus) as juveniles. L. kalisherae are almost identical to L. bucciferus by appearance, although fortunately the latter typically have 20 dorsal-fin spines. The adult character of the number of pores at the submandibular symphysis does not apply to juveniles. The marking differences are quite subtle, with L. kalisherae having more spotted ventral and pectoral fins, especially more dark bands along the pelvic fin-rays (5 to 7 vs. 4) and L. bucciferus are more likely to show short dark lines radiating from the rear orbital rim and numerous small pale spots over the operculum. Juvenile L. kalisherae are best separated from L. gobio and L. guppyi by having the pigment on the caudal-fin base outlining three light spots (vs. ending as a mostly straight vertical line) and by having distinctly longer first two dorsal-fin spines (vs. L. guppyi, i.e. about half the body depth at the dorsal-fin origin and longer than or equal to the 4th), often with membranes opacified with white or colors (vs. both species). In addition, L. gobio differs in having the dark bars on the body not extending onto the fins and L. guppyi rapidly develops an opercular ocellus. Juvenile L. haitiensis (and L. bucciferus) share the relatively long first dorsal-fin spines (often with white-shaded membranes) with L. kalisherae, but L. haitiensis have longer pelvic fins (reaching past the anal-fin origin) with an inconspicuous short third pelvic-fin ray, often a dark opercular spot, and higher fin-ray counts. L. albigenys are best distinguished by their short first dorsal-fin spine and lower fin-ray counts. The remaining Labrisomus juveniles are distinguished by their opercular ocelli, longer snouts, and fin-ray counts i.e. L. nigricinctus and L. nuchipinnis (as well as L. conditus and L. cricota, both with less distinct ocelli), and L. filamentosus (blunt-snouted but with longer first dorsal-fin spines).