Notes on the Splendid Perches of Genus Grammatonotus (Callanthiidae) of the Tropical Western Pacific (Philippines, New Caledonia, Vanuatu)

Abstract

Based on the material obtained from the waters of the tropical Western Pacific (Philippines, New Caledonia, Vanuatu), three “large-eyed” species of Grammatonotus are redescribed: G. ambiortus, presumably widely distributed along island arcs in the western and central parts of the Pacific Ocean; G. cf. macrophthalmus from the waters of New Caledonia (new finding, but the specimens do not fully correspond to the original description, based on the fish caught at the Kyushu-Palau Ridge); and G. crosnieri, apparently endemic species in the Philippines waters. Clear diagnostic differences between these species were established, the structure of the caudal fin of G. ambiortus was described for the first time, and it turned out to be specific within the genus; the importance of individual morphological features in species diagnostics is discussed.