Malacoctenus erdmani Smith 1957

Diagnosis: The modal fin-ray count of D-XXI,9 A-II,18-19 and P-16 indicates M. erdmani and fall within the range for M. macropus and barely within the range for M. gilli (M. delalandii can match the median-fin ray count but have fewer than 16 pectoral-fin rays). (DNA) Ecology: The imitator blenny is a tiny labrisomid rarely noticed by divers. They are not common and prefer shallow rockier habitats than most of their congeners. The species is apparently restricted to the Caribbean Sea and the Bahamas, with no records from Florida, the Gulf of Mexico, or NE Venezuela down to Brazil and its offshore islands. Their larvae are uncommon in collections and, unlike many other reef fishes, most were collected in the dry season in Panama. Description: Pre-transitional larvae: Body long, narrow, and thin with a large round eye, pointed snout, and relatively small terminal mouth. Long continuous dorsal and anal fins with a short and narrow caudal peduncle. Pectoral fins long, reaching past the vent, and pelvic fins long and thread-like. On the head there are a pair of large side-by-side melanophores overlying the midbrain lobes, typically widely spaced (more than a pupil-width apart), sometimes with one or two additional small adjacent spots, but all limited to the the midbrain lobes (nearing transition, one or a few additional small pseudolarval spots can develop on the side of the head and anteriorly). There is a cheek melanophore on each side. There are no melanophores along the base of the dorsal or caudal fins. Along the ventral midline there are notably no melanophores at the isthmus or at the pelvic-fin base. Along the anal fin there is a melanophore at the base of each anal-fin soft ray (and sometimes the second spine), usually sparing the last ray, followed by a single melanophore placed just after the last ray (sometimes a second) along the ventral midline of the caudal peduncle; it is often slightly more prominent than the preceding row. Internal melanophores comprise only the basic complement: the nuchal midline, otic capsule, and overlying the abdominal organs. Transitional stage: M. erdmani larvae in transition develop patches of small surface melanophores over the head, including a short bar down from the orbital rim at 6:00 o'clock and an eye-stripe from the orbital rim to the mid-maxilla. In addition, the melanophores on the lower rim of the pectoral-fin base form two patches, the anteriormost often a vertical line from under the operculum. Transitional larvae also sometimes develop a few additional small pseudo-larval melanophores over the hindbrain lobes. Fine metamorphic melanophores later extend onto the body. Notably, the cirri that develop on each side of the head, on the nape, over the eye, and over the nasal tube are multifid. Juveniles: M. erdmani juveniles can be recognized by having a blue-ringed ocellus forming on the body just below the last few dorsal-fin spines, often still part of a dark fourth bar on the body. Analogues: Larval M. erdmani (and M. macropus) can be separated from their congeners by their light markings, i.e. the absence of melanophores along the dorsal and caudal-fin bases, none along the anterior ventral midline forward of the anal fin, and fewer than 5 melanophores on top of the head with bare forebrain lobes, i.e. spots only over the midbrain optic lobes and none over the forebrain lobes (between the eyes). M. gilli larvae can appear similar, but have a deep melanophore at the pelvic-fin insertion (and typically additional head melanophores and fewer pectoral-fin rays). M. aurolineatus larvae can have few melanophores on the head, but have additional melanophores along the median-fin bases and at the isthmus and pelvic-fin insertion. Larval M. erdmani are very similar to larval M. macropus in size, shape, and markings. There are some marking differences, with M. erdmani larvae always having (at least) a side-by-side pair of head melanophores while M. macropus often have a single melanophore. The arrangement of melanophores on the ventral midline of the caudal peduncle also differs: M. erdmani larvae usually have a single, often more prominent, melanophore placed just after the last fin ray (when there is a second spot, the two species can overlap), while M. macropus usually have two to four evenly-sized melanophores spaced out along the caudal peduncle; if one, it is most often placed half-way to the procurrent caudal-fin rays. Since most M. erdmani also have fewer anal-fin rays than M. macropus, the total number of melanophores in the ventral row is typically two or three fewer (often 18 vs. 21). Fin-ray counts are generally different and helpful for separation, however there is some overlap requiring DNA sequencing for definitive identification of larvae within the shared range. The D-XXI,9 A-II,18-19 P-16 combination occurs in more than half of M. erdmani individuals but is rare in M. macropus. Certain counts are indicative of M. erdmani: 29 total dorsal-fin elements, i.e. 20 dorsal-fin spines or 21 with only 8 dorsal-fin rays (below Springer's reported range for M. macropus) and the frequent combination of 18 anal-fin soft rays and 16 pectoral-fin rays (characteristic of M. erdmani and rare for M. macropus). Late larvae also diverge in the relative length of their dorsal-fin spines: in M. erdmani the first spine is distinctly longer than the third-to-last spine, while in M. macropus the first spine is about the same length (or less) as the third-to-last spine. Early transitional M. erdmani larvae are distinguished by fin-ray counts, persistent larval melanophores, and their metamorphic melanophore pattern. During transition M. erdmani diverge from M. macropus in the number of cirri that develop: in M. erdmani the cirri over the eye and on the nape are bifid or trifid vs. single in M. macropus. During transition M. erdmani also diverge from M. macropus in the relative length of their dorsal-fin spines; the third-to-last spine is much shorter than the first spine, while in M. macropus the several spines before the last become long, often longer than the first. Juvenile and adult M. erdmani are best recognized by the prominent squared-off ocellus ringed in black and/or blue on the body just below the last few dorsal-fin spines. Juvenile M. gilli have an ocellus at the same location, but it clearly extends onto the fin membranes. Juvenile M. macropus have no ocelli and long single cirri (multiple in M. erdmani).

Common amongst Labrisomids: small, often elongate fishes; largest species about 20 cm standard length, most under 10 cm standard length. Head usually with cirri or fleshy flaps on anterior nostrils, eyes, and laterally on nape; gill membranes continuous with each other across posteroventral surface of head. Each jaw with an outer row of relatively large, canine-like or incisor-like teeth, often with patches of smaller teeth behind; teeth usually also present on vomer. Dorsal and anal fins long, frequently highest anteriorly; dorsal-fin spines often flexible, outnumbering segmented dorsal-fin soft rays; 2 usually flexible spines in anal fin; pelvic fins inserted anterior to pectoral-fin bases, with 1 spine not visible externally; all fin rays, including those of caudal, unbranched (simple). Cycloid (smooth to touch) scales present at least posteriorly on body. Body coloration: varying from drab to brilliant hues; usually with irregular vertical bands, spots, or marbled pattern. Species distinguished by: dorsal fin consisting of spines and 7 to 37 segmented rays; cirri on anterior nostril and bove eye usually 2; two or more cirri on each side of nape just anterior to dorsal-fin origin; pectoral-fin rays usually 16; length of shortest pelvic-fin ray (third ray very difficult to see) contained fewer than 4 times in length of longest ray; pelvic-fin soft rays 3 (innermost ray may be reduced in length and folded over middle ray); scales in lateral-line series 40 to 69 (some scales in posterior portion of lateral line may lack sensory tubes, but are included in count); pectoral-fin base naked; maxillary bone sheathed; small teeth present behind large teeth in outer row (small teeth inconspicuous and easily knocked out while probing); teeth absent on palatines; distinct, dark blotch at bases of posteriormost dorsal-fin spines (Ref.52855).

Dorsal soft rays (total): 737; Analspines: 2

Inhabits surfaces of rocks, in depressions, and among clumps of algae, among broken coral debris and rocks in only a few feet of water (Ref. 5521).

Malacoctenus erdmani is a species of labrisomid blenny native to the western Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea from the Bahamas to Curaçao. This species is an inhabitant of reefs where it prefers areas that provide hiding places such as coral rubble and rock and patches of algae. It can reach a length of 3.8 centimetres (1.5 in) TL. The specific name honours the fishery biologist Donald S. Erdman.

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Malacoctenus erdmani Malacoctenus generoko animalia da. Arrainen barruko Labrisomidae familian sailkatzen da.