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Accepted by W. Holleman: 14 Mar. 2019; published: 17 Apr. 2019
ZOOTAXA
ISSN 1175-5326 (print edition)
ISSN
1175-5334
(online edition)
Copyright © 2019 Magnolia Press
Zootaxa 4586 (2): 249
–
260
https://www.mapress.com/j/zt/
Article
249
https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4586.2.2
http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:641BC4A0-8AB0-43D0-AD36-4E6249DF91DC
Chromis tingting, a new species of damselfish from mesophotic coral ecosystems
of southern Japan, with notes on C. mirationis Ta n a k a
(Teleostei: Pomacentridae)
YI-KAI TEA
1,5
, ANTHONY C. GILL
2,3
& HIROSHI SENOU
4
1
School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia. E-mail: yi-kai.tea@sydney.edu.au
2
Macleay Museum and School of Life and Environmental Sciences, A12 – Macleay Building, The University of Sydney, New South
Wales 2006, Australia. E-mail: anthony.c.gill@sydney.edu.au
3
Ichthyology, Australian Museum, 1 William Street, Sydney, New South Wales 2010, Australia
4
Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Natural History, 499 Iryuda, Odawara, Kanagawa 250-0031, Japan.
E-mail: senou@nh.kanagawa-museum.jp
5
Corresponding author
Abstract
Chromis tingting sp. nov., is described on the basis of the holotype and three paratypes from Sagami Bay, Japan. The new
species likely belongs to a complex consisting of C. mirationis, C. okamurai and C. struhsakeri, with which it shares the
following character combination: dorsal rays XIV,13–14; anal rays II,12; pectoral rays 19–20; tubed lateral-line scales 15–
17; two spinous procurrent rays dorsally and ventrally in the caudal fin; and a generally silvery white adult coloration. The
new species differs from the other members of its complex in coloration details (particularly in juvenile coloration), and
in having fewer gill rakers (5–6 + 17–20 = 22–26), and a larger eye (13.7–19.4 % SL). The new species has previously
been confused with Chromis mirationis, and the contention is herewith briefly discussed.
Key words: taxonomy, ichthyology, Ryukyu Archipelago, Sagami Bay, deep-water
Introduction
The pomacentrid genus Chromis Cuvier (1814) is the largest genus in the family, with over a hundred species found
on coral and rocky reefs throughout tropical and warm temperate seas (Allen, 1991). The genus is cosmopolitan
and circumglobal, inhabiting a wide range of depths ranging from shallow coral outcrops to deep reefs below the
photic zone. More extensive exploration of reef ecosystems in recent years have led to several new discoveries,
particularly in species inhabiting mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCE) at depths between 40 and 150 m
(Hinderstein et al., 2010). Indeed, thirty-four species are known only from depths exceeding 50 m, and a further
twelve are known from depths of 60 m or more (Pyle et al., 2008; Arango et al., 2019).
The widespread distribution of some species in the genus raises the question of whether such species are truly
widespread, or whether they are actually complexes of similar species (Gill & Kemp, 2002). This may lead to the
splitting of currently recognized taxa into two or more species, especially where apparent differences are noted
within sympatric populations (Allen & Erdmann, 2014; Motomura et al., 2017).
We herein describe a new species of Chromis inhabiting moderately deep to deep MCEs of southern Japan.
The new species is compared with related species, including the species currently called C. mirationis Tan aka
(1917), with which it has been previously confused. The latter species was described briefly by Tanaka from the
holotype, which is currently listed as lost. However, the specimen is extant, and we therefore provide new data on
the holotype in order to justify our conclusion that it is distinct from our new species.
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Materials and methods
Method of counting and measuring follow Lecchini & Williams (2004). Gill raker counts are presented as upper
(epibranchial) + lower (ceratobranchial) rakers on the anterior face of the first arch; the angle raker is included in
the second count. In the description that follows, data are presented for all type specimens, followed where
variation was noted by data for the holotype in parentheses. Where counts were recorded bilaterally for the
holotype, both counts are given and separated from each other by a slash; the first count presented is the left count.
Osteological details were taken from a radiograph of the holotype. Type specimens of the new species are
deposited in the Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Natural History (KPM). We used some photographs of the
Image Database of Fishes housed at KPM-NI, which are assigned unique numbers with the prefix KPM-NR. Note
that owing to zero-padding, a seven-digit number is used for the catalogue number in the fish specimen and the fish
image collections of the museum because of the convenience on a database software, but zero suppression is
adopted for expression of the essential numbers here.
FIGURE 1. Chromis mirationis, ZUMT 3627, 74.3 mm SL, holotype. A: left lateral view; B: right pectoral axil; C: lower part
of head showing posterior extent of free suborbital margin (indicated by arrow). Photos by H. Senou.
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Identity of Chromis mirationis Tana k a
Tanaka (1917) described Chromis mirationis from the holotype collected off Goto Island, Nagasaki Prefecture,
Japan. The original description of C. mirationis is brief, and not accompanied by an illustration. Two nominal
species are currently regarded as synonyms of C. mirationis: C. fraenatus Araga & Yoshino (in Masuda et al.,
1975), type locality off Minabe, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan; Chromis megalopsis Allen 1976, type locality west
of Bernier Island, Western Australia. Tanaka’s holotype of C. mirationis is currently listed as lost by Fricke et al.
(2019). However, we located the holotype in the Department of Zoology, University Museum, University of Tokyo,
Tokyo (ZUMT 3627; Figure 1). Conversely, the holotype and paratype of C. fraenatus (SMBL 72067 and SMBL
73391, respectively) could not be located at in the collection of the Kyoto University Museum, Kyoto University
(Dr Y. Kai, pers. comm.). Morphometric data for the holotype of C. mirationis are provided in Table 1. The
holotypes of both C. mirationis and C. fraenatus were examined by Randall et al. (1981) who concluded that they
were conspecific. We concur with this assessment, thus the name C. mirationis should be applied to that species
rather than to the species herein newly described. Diagnostic characters that clearly differentiate the two species are
apparent in the holotype, particularly the absence of a conspicuous large dark spot in the pectoral axil (Figure 1B),
and more expansive free margin of the suborbital (extending well beyond vertical through posterior margin of pupil
versus to vertical through middle of pupil; Figures 1C and 3). Although Tanaka did not mention the lateral stripe
that characterizes C. mirationis, this may be weakly developed in large adults (such as Araga & Yoshino’s 91.0 mm
SL paratype of C. fraenatus).
Chromis tingting sp. nov.
New standard Japanese name: Gekko-suzumedai
English common name: Moonstone Chromis
Figures 2–8, Tables 1–2
Chromis mirationis [non Tanaka 1917]; Song et al. 2014: 2, figs 1a–c and 2, table 1 (larval description and identification).
Holotype. KPM-NI 30479, 53.6 mm SL, Japan, Shizuoka Prefecture, west side of Sagami Bay, east side of Izu
Peninsula, 58 m, W. Takase, 15 March 2012.
Paratypes. KPM-NI 18916, 98.5 mm SL, Japan, Shizuoka Prefecture, west side of Sagami Bay, off Hatsu-
shima Island, 30–40 m, Y. Miyazaki, 30 April 2007; KPM-NI 23617, 25.4 mm SL, Japan, west side of Sagami Bay,
east side of Izu Peninsula, Izu Oceanic Park, 50 m, W. Takase, 23 March 2009; KPM-NI 32613, 15.5 mm SL,
Japan, west side of Sagami Bay, east side of Izu Peninsula, Jogasaki coast, 65 m, 15 January 1990.
Diagnosis. The following combination of characters distinguishes C. tingting from all congeners: dorsal rays
XIV,13–14; anal rays II,12; pectoral rays 19–20; tubed lateral-line scales 15–17; gill rakers 5–6 + 17–20 = 22–26;
caudal fin with two spinous procurrent rays dorsally and ventrally. Chromis tingting can be further distinguished
from congeners based on color patterns, and in having a large black spot on the pectoral fin base that reaches the
lower limits of the axil.
Description. Dorsal rays XIV,13–14 (XIV,13), all segmented rays branched except only last 8 in smallest
paratype; anal rays II,12, all segmented rays branched; pectoral rays 19–20 (20/20), the upper 2–3 (2/2) and lower
2–3 (2/2) unbranched; pelvic rays I,5; principal caudal rays 8 + 7, the upper and lower rays unbranched; upper and
lower procurrent caudal rays 4, the anteriormost 2 rays (dorsally and ventrally) spiniform; tubed lateral-line scales
15–17 (17/17); posterior mid-lateral scales with a pore or deep pit 6–8 (8/6); scales above lateral line to origin of
dorsal fin 3.5; scales below lateral line to origin of anal fin 11–12 (11/12); gill rakers 5–6 + 17–20 = 22–26 (16 +
19); vertebrae 11 + 15; predorsal formula (after Ahlstrom et al., 1976) 0/0/0 + 1/1+1; ribs present on vertebrae 3
through 10; epineurals present on vertebrae 1 through 15.
Body moderately deep, depth 1.9–2.0 (2.0) in SL, and compressed, the width 2.9–4.7 (3.5) in body depth; head
length 2.5–3.0 (3.0) in SL; dorsal profile of head with convexity anterior to eye and concavity dorsal to eye; snout
shorter than orbit diameter, its length 3.7–5.7 (3.9) in HL; orbit diameter 2.1–2.4 (2.2) in HL; interorbital space
convex, its width 2.8–3.7 (3.4) in HL; caudal peduncle depth 2.3–2.9 (2.3) in HL; caudal peduncle length 2.7–2.9
(2.7) in HL.
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FIGURE 2. Chromis tingting sp. nov., KPM-NI 30479, 53.6 mm SL, holotype, Izu Peninsula, Sagami Bay, Shizuoka
Prefecture, Japan. Photo by H. Senou.
Mouth terminal, small, oblique, the upper jaw forming an angle of about 45° to horizontal axis of head and
body; posterior edge of maxilla reaching slightly beyond a vertical at anterior edge of pupil, the upper jaw length
2.8–3.4 (3.4) in head; upper jaw with 4–5 rows of small conical teeth at symphysis, reducing to single row
posteriorly, the teeth of outer row enlarged and slightly curved; lower jaw with 3–4 rows of small conical teeth,
reducing to single row posteriorly, the outer row teeth enlarged and slightly curved; about 20–25 outer row teeth on
each side of upper and lower jaws; tongue triangular with rounded tip; gill rakers long and slender, the longest on
lower limb near angle about four-fifths length of longest gill filaments; anterior nostril with a slightly raised rim
fleshy rim, more elevated on posterior edge and located at level of middle of pupil, about one-third distance from
front of snout to base of upper lip; posterior nostril a vertical slit, at about horizontal through upper edge of pupil;
an enlarged slit-like opening of the frontal portion of the latero-sensory canal present above middle of eye (termed
“crescent opening of supraorbital canal” by Randall et al., 1981; Figure 3).
Opercle ending posteriorly in a flat spine, the tip relatively obtuse and obscured by a large scale; margin of
preopercle smooth, the posterior margin extending dorsally to just above upper edge of pupil; suborbital with free
lower margin extending to vertical through middle of pupil (Figure 3).
Scales spinoid in smallest paratype, ctenoid with transforming cteni (after Roberts, 1993) in remaining specimens
);
anterior lateral line ending beneath rear portion of spinous dorsal fin (beneath thirteenth to fourteenth dorsal-fin
spines); head scaled except lips, tip of snout, and a narrow zone from orbit to edge of snout containing nostrils
(Figure 3); a scaly sheath at base of dorsal and anal fins, about half pupil diameter at base of middle of spinous
portion of dorsal fin; two columns of scales on each membrane of dorsal fin, narrowing distally, those on spinous
portion of dorsal progressively longer, reaching about two-thirds distance to spine tips on posterior membranes;
scales on anal-fin membrane in one column, scales progressively smaller distally; small scales on caudal fin
extending to about one-half distance to posterior margin; small scales on basal one-fifth of pectoral fins; a median
scaly process extending posteriorly from between base of pelvic fins, its length a little over one-third that of pelvic
spine; axillary scale above base of pelvic spine about one-third length of spine.
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FIGURE 3. Chromis tingting sp. nov., KPM-NI 30479, 53.6 mm SL, holotype, diagram of head. AN, anterior nostril; CSO,
crescent opening of supraorbital canal; PN, posterior nostril. Arrow indicates posterior extent of free margin of suborbital.
Exposed scales shown in grey.
Origin of dorsal fin over first or second lateral-line scale, the predorsal length 2.1–2.4 (2.4) in SL; dorsal fin
base contained 1.5–1.8 (1.5) in SL; base of soft portion of dorsal fin contained 5.8–6.5 (5.8) in SL; first dorsal spine
3.0–3.9 (3.1) in HL; second dorsal spine 2.0–2.4 (2.0) in HL; third dorsal spine 1.7–2.2 (1.7) in HL; fourth dorsal
spine 1.7–2.0 (1.7) in HL; fifth dorsal spine 1.7–2.0 (1.7) in HL; sixth dorsal spine 1.7–2.0 (1.7) in HL; fourteenth
dorsal spine 2.1–3.5 (2.4) in HL; membranes of spinous portion of dorsal fin moderately incised; first segmented
dorsal ray 1.8–2.3 (1.8) in HL; fourth or fifth dorsal segmented ray longest, its length 1.4–1.6 (1.4) in HL; preanal
length 1.4–1.5 (1.4) in SL; anal fin base 4.1–4.5 (4.1) in SL; first anal spine 3.2–5.3 (3.2) in HL; second anal spine
nearly twice as long as first, 1.4–2.2 (1.4) in HL; first anal segmented ray 1.5–1.9 (1.5) in HL; third, fourth or fifth
segmented anal ray the longest, its length 1.4–1.7 (1.4) in HL; caudal fin forked, its length 2.6–2.9 (2.7) in SL, the
caudal concavity 6.2–6.8 (6.2) in SL; third or fourth pectoral-fin ray longest, 2.9–3.2 (2.9) in SL; prepelvic length
2.2–2.4 (2.4) in SL; pelvic spine 1.7–2.1 (1.7) in HL; first segmented ray of pelvic fin filamentous, usually
reaching to base of first or second anal-fin ray, its length 2.3–3.1 (3.1) in SL.
Coloration of adults in life (based on color photographs of the holotype and largest paratype when freshly
dead, and photos of live individuals taken in the field and aquaria; Figures 2, 4–5, 7A2): head and body bluish grey
to dark grey, overlain with silvery-white to whitish-blue iridescence when alive; iris dusky silver-grey, bright
yellow dorsally in life, with narrow blue ring around pupil; short yellow stripe from tip of snout to anterior edge of
orbit, becoming diffused behind orbit and continuing across upper part of preopercle and operculum to anterior few
lateral line scales and upper part of pectoral fin base (yellow markings not apparent in 98.5 mm SL paratype); axil
of pectoral fin base with large black spot; spinous dorsal fin and scale-sheath area of soft dorsal dark yellowish
grey to black, the remainder of soft dorsal yellowish or greyish hyaline to hyaline; distal part of spinous dorsal
greyish yellow to bright yellow in young adults, this broadest anteriorly, gradually narrowing posteriorly, with
distal margin of fin narrowly blue; anal fin pale yellowish grey to yellow, broadly edged distally with paler bluish
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grey to pale blue; caudal fin greyish yellow to bright yellow, bluish to greyish hyaline on distal margin; pelvic fins
pale blue to bluish or greyish hyaline; pectoral fins bright yellow basally, the remainder of fin yellowish to greyish
hyaline.
FIGURE 4. Chromis tingting sp. nov., KPM-NI 18916, 98.5 mm SL, paratype, off Hatsu-shima Island, west side of Sagami
Bay, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. Photo by H. Senou.
FIGURE 5. Chromis tingting sp. nov., underwater photo in 50-60 m, Izu Oceanic Park, Sagami Bay, Honshu, Japan. Note
Sacura margaritacea and Pseudolabrus sieboldi in the background. Photo by H. Tatsuuma.
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FIGURE 6. Chromis tingting sp. nov., juvenile specimen from Kashiwajima, Japan. Note the large black spot on the pectoral
fin axil. Photo by K. Nakajima.
Coloration of juveniles in life (based on color photographs of two smaller paratypes when freshly dead, and
photos of individuals taken in the field and aquaria; Figures 6, 7A1): head and body entirely gunmetal to silvery-
grey, overlaid with greenish blue iridescence dorsally; iris pale blue to grey, bright metallic blue on dorsal edge;
axil of pectoral fin base with large black spot; caudal peduncle greyish yellow to bright yellow posteriorly; dorsal
bright yellow, with basal part of spinous part of fin greyish yellow in larger juveniles; anal fin bright yellow; caudal
fin bright yellow basally with remainder of fin hyaline in small juveniles, the yellow area becoming more extensive
to cover most of fin in larger juveniles; pectoral fins hyaline; pelvic fins greyish hyaline, edged in pale blue.
Coloration in alcohol: head and body pale brown to dark grey-brown, paler ventrally; dark grey spot on
pectoral axil remains; dark yellowish grey to black basal marking on dorsal fin remains, becoming greyish brown,
the remainder of fins brown to brownish hyaline.
Etymology. Named in honor of the first author’s mother, in recognition of her unconditional love, support and
encouragement. To be treated as a noun in apposition. The common name Moonstone Chromis refers to the
pearlescent, silvery-blue coloration of the juveniles and adults of this species. “Gekko”, of the new standard
Japanese name, means moonlight in Japanese.
Habitat and distribution. Chromis tingting is described on the basis of four specimens from Sagami Bay,
Japan. Underwater photographs in the Image Database of Fishes, Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Natural
History (KPM) indicates that the species also occurs in Suruga Bay (KPM-NR 84548) and the Ryukyu Archipelago
(Izena Bank, Okinawa). Underwater photos indicate that it also occurs in Hachijo-Jima in the Izu Archipelago
(Figure 7A1) and Kashiwajima, Kochi, Japan (Figure 6). It probably also occurs in Korea, based on a larval
specimen from south of Tong-young, Korea Strait (see remarks below; Figure 8). The species frequents deep reefs
with some sponge and coral cover, at depths reaching 86 m, though it has been infrequently recorded at shallower
depths of 25 m. It is frequently seen in the company of species of the genera Sacura Jordan & Richardson 1910,
Pseudanthias Bleeker 1871, Tosanoides Kamohara 1953 and Pseudolabrus Bleeker 1862.
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TABLE 1. Proportional measurements of type specimens of Chromis tingting sp. nov., and of the holotype of C.
mirationis expressed as a percentage of the standard length.
Comparisons. Chromis tingting is one of several deep-water Chromis with 14 dorsal fin spines. Lecchini &
Williams (2004) listed 20 species in which at least some specimens had been recorded with 14 spines, including
their new species Chromis planesi. An additional five species of Chromis with 14 dorsal fin spines have been
C. tingting sp. nov. C. mirationis
Holotype Paratypes Holotype
KPM-NI
30479
KPM-NI 32613 KPM-NI 23617 KPM-NI 18916 ZUMT 3627
SL (mm) 53.6 15.5 25.4 98.5 74.3
Greatest body depth 49.3 49.7 52.0 52.0 49.0
Body depth at anal origin 46.3 40.6 46.9 47.3 44.0
Body width 13.2 16.8 18.1 11.1 18.4
Head length 33.8 40.6 37.0 33.3 34.3
Snout length 8.8 7.1 6.7 9.0 9.2
Orbit diameter 15.3 19.4 16.5 13.7 14.2
Bony interorbital width 10.1 11.0 10.2 11.9 9.7
Caudal peduncle depth 14.9 14.2 15.7 14.5 14.7
Caudal peduncle length 10.2 14.2 13.0 12.5 13.7
Upper jaw length 10.1 12.9 11.8 11.9 12.0
Predorsal length 41.6 47.1 42.5 42.8 42.1
Dorsal base 65.9 54.2 59.4 67.4 66.1
Soft dorsal base 17.2 15.5 15.7 16.6 15.6
1
st
dorsal spine 11.0 10.3 11.8 9.8 12.9
2
nd
dorsal spine 17.2 16.8 18.5 14.6 17.1
3
rd
dorsal spine 20.0 18.7 20.9 18.6 21.4
4
th
dorsal spine 19.8 20.0 21.7 19.2 21.8
5
th
dorsal spine 19.4 20.6 broken 18.8 21.3
6
th
dorsal spine 19.8 20.0 19.7 18.8 20.9
14
th
dorsal spine 14.2 11.6 13.8 15.9 13.6
1
st
dorsal ray 18.5 18.1 18.5 broken 20.5
Longest dorsal ray (number) 24.4 (4) 21.9 (5) 23.2 (4) 23.7 (5) 21.7 (5)
Preanal length 69.0 68.4 70.9 68.4 70.0
Anal base 24.5 23.2 22.0 23.8 25.0
1
st
anal spine 10.6 7.7 9.8 9.6 10.6
2
nd
anal spine 25.0 18.7 22.4 21.8 25.7
1
st
anal ray 23.1 11.6 22.0 broken 24.2
Longest anal ray (number) 23.7 23.9 25.2 broken 22.2 (4)
Caudal length 37.5 38.1 broken 34.2 broken
Caudal concavity 16.0 14.8 broken 14.7 broken
Longest pectoral ray 34.9 32.9 31.1 35.0 36.1
Prepelvic length 42.0 44.5 42.9 43.2 42.4
Pelvic-spine length 20.3 19.4 21.3 18.5 21.1
1
st
pelvic soft ray 32.5 42.6 38.6 32.5 37.1
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described since: Chromis onumai Senou & Kudo (2007), C. abyssus Pyle et al. (2008), C. circumaurea Pyle et al.
(2008), C. degruyi Pyle et al. (2008), and C. unipa Allen & Erdmann (2009). Of these species, C. tingting, most
closely resembles C. mirationis Tanaka (1917), C. okamurai Yamakawa & Randall (1989) and C. struhsakeri
Randall & Swerdloff (1973) in coloration and in having similar tubed lateral-line scale and fin-ray counts
(including only two versus three spinous caudal rays dorsally and ventrally).
FIGURE 7. Juveniles and adults of selected Chromis species: A1: Chromis tingting sp. nov., juvenile, Hachijo-Jima, Japan
(Photo by Kiss2Sea); A2: Chromis tingting sp. nov., adult, Izu Oceanic Park, Japan (Photo by W. Takase); B1: Chromis
mirationis, juvenile, aquarium specimen from Okinawa (Photo by Y.K. Tea); B2: Chromis mirationis, adult, aquarium
specimen from Izu peninsular (Photo by Y.K. Tea); C1: Chromis okamurai, juvenile, Kashiwajima, Japan (Photo by K.
Nakajima); C2: Chromis okamurai, adult, Kashiwajima, Japan (Photo by K. Nakajima); D1: Chromis struhsakeri, juvenile,
Midway Atoll (Photo by R. Whitton); D2: Chromis struhsakeri, adult, Midway Atoll (Photo by R. Whitton).
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FIGURE 8. Distribution records for selected species of Chromis: square, C. tingting sp. nov.; circles, C. tingting sp. nov. + C.
mirationis + C. okamurai; triangles, C. mirationis; stars, C. struhsakeri.
All four species have mostly white to greyish-blue adults but are easily separated based on color patterns
(Figure 7; Table 2). Chromis tingting differs from all three species in having a larger eye (13.7–19.4% SL versus
12.2–14.5% SL in C. mirationis, 13.6% SL in C. okamurai, and 12.0–15.6% SL in C. struhsakeri), fewer gill
rakers (5–6 + 17–20 = 22–26 versus 8–9 + 19–21 = 27–30 in C. mirationis, 8 + 19 = 27 in C. okamurai, and 7–8 +
22–26 = 29–34 in C. struhsakeri), and further from C. mirationis and C. okamurai in having a more restricted free
margin of the suborbital (to beneath middle of pupil versus to well past vertical through posterior edge of pupil).
Remarks. Song et al. (2014) identified a larval specimen of an unidentified Chromis from south of Tong-
young, Korea Strait, Korea as C. mirationis. However, the basis for their identification was a sequence match in
mtDNA (16S ribosomal RNA) with a specimen identified as C. mirationis. That comparative specimen is the
holotype of C. tinging (KPM-NI 30479), and the match therefore suggests that the larval specimen is C. tingting.
However, no specimens of C. mirationis were included in their analysis, and we therefore consider this conclusion
tentative.
The GenBank registration numbers for both specimens of Chromis tingting in Song et al. (2014) are JQ178234
and KF957467 respectively (the latter is the holotype, previously misidentified as C. mirationis). Based on their
neighbor joining tree of mitochondrial 16S sequences, Chromis tingting is most closely related to C. notata
(d=0.017; d is genetic distance). However, no specimens of C. mirationis, C. okamurai or C. struhsakeri were
included in their analysis, and comparative genetic sequences for those species are lacking. We therefore consider
the relationship proposed in Song et al. (2014) as tentative, and the relationship proposed here between C. tingting,
C. mirationis, C. okamurai and C. struhsakeri as putative pending further study.
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TABLE 2. Summary of live coloration characters for selected Chromis species.
Acknowledgements
We thank M. McGrouther and A. Hay for curatorial assistance. Y.Z. Tay, K. Nakajima, R. Whitton, W. Takase, and
Kiss2Sea provided excellent photographs for various Chromis species. A. Hay and S.E. Reader provided an x-
radiograph of the holotype of C. tingting. Mr. M. Aizawa alerted us to the presence of the holotype of Chromis
mirationis, and helped in the collection of data. R. Pyle provided helpful comments regarding the manuscript. This
paper is dedicated to the first author’s mother, for her continued support and encouragement in his pursuit of a
career in taxonomy and systematics.
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Chromis tingting sp.
nov.
Chromis mirationis Chromis okamurai Chromis struhsakeri
Dorsal fin Yellow to greyish
hyaline or hyaline,
broadly yellowish grey
to black basally
White to pale blue Pale yellow White anteriorly, fading
to dusky yellow
posteriorly
Anal fin Pale yellow to
yellowish-grey with
blue outer edge
Pale blue entirely Pale blue entirely Pale yellowish-blue
Body markings None Yellow to brown
lateral stripe
Oblique black stripe from
eye to dorsal fin terminus.
Second white stripe below,
from lower edge of orbit to
distal edge of caudal
peduncle. Third black stripe
from pectoral fin base to
middle of caudal peduncle.
Black saddle present
posteriorly, originating
mid-dorsally to upper
edge of caudal peduncle.
Pectoral fin base Axil with large black
spot reaching beyond
lower part of axil
Axil with small
black spot not
reaching beyond
lower part of axil
Axil with large black spot Axil with large black
spot
Juvenile coloration Dusky blue-grey
overall; median fins
bright yellow; upper
edge of iris bright blue
Bluish-grey overall;
bright yellow
horizontal stripe
medially; upper edge
of iris blue
Body pearlescent, from
mid-laterally, upper body
entirely bright yellow;
pelvic fins cyan; caudal
peduncle with black spot;
upper edge of iris yellow
Anterior two-thirds of
body pearlescent, dusky
black posteriorly; caudal
peduncle with white spot
on distal edge; upper
edge of iris yellow
TEA ET AL.
260
·
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