Liopropoma aurora

Liopropoma aurora
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Liopropomatidae
Genus: Liopropoma
Species:
L. aurora
Binomial name
Liopropoma aurora
(Jordan & Evermann, 1903)

Liopropoma aurora is a species of Perciformes in the family Liopropomatidae[1][2] It is commonly known as the Sunrise basslet, or Sunset basslet, and is a species of deep-reef basslet endemic to the Hawaiian Islands.[2]

Description

Liopropoma aurora is a stout fish with a slightly elevated back and a long, pointed head[1]. The mouth is large with a projecting lower jaw[3]. The maxillary reached the posterior margin of the pupil. The teeth are arranged in bands on the jaws, vomer, and palatines[3]. The preopercle is slightly dentate, and the opercle ends in a broad flap with a weak flat spine. The caudal peduncle is deep and the fins are relatively small[3][1].

This species is pale rosy dorsally and paler pink ventrally. A bold sulfur-yellow stripe runs from the upper jaw through the eye and into the opercular opening[1]. A secondary yellow stripe can appear across the cheek and posterior maxillary[1]. They have a yellow lower jaw tip. The dorsal fin is pale rosy while the caudal fin is dark rosy with a blackish-red edge and greenish-yellow margin lines[3]. The head and nape has a greenish-yellow vermiculation. However in alcohol, the body is a pale yellowish white with distinct brown spots and white specks.[1][3]

The head is approximately 63.5 mm as the body length is about 21 mm long[3][1]. The snout length is about 15.9 mm. the Liopropoma aurora has a scale count of 5-55-22[1][3].

The species is rarely captured and recovered from the stomachs of moray eels[1]. Its diet consists of small crustaceans and reef-associated organisms[1]. Reproductive behavior is not well documented but is suggested to follow patterns typical of serranids. Liopropoma aurora is closely related to Liopropoma lunulatum[1], which does not occur in Hawaii. Both species share yellow striping through the eye and fin banding, but they have different dorsal ray counts and caudal fin morphology[1].

Distribution and habitat

Liopropoma aurora is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands having records from Honolulu and Hilo. It inhabits deep reef environments, typically between 21 and 184 m[4], though have been observed at depths greater than 200 m[5][6]. The species is engybenthic[4], living over hard substrates with holes, reef slabs, and crevices. Photographs were taken by the Hawaiʻi Undersea Research Laboratory submersibles Makali‘i and Pisces V at depths of 162–183 m[6].

Human use and cultural significance

Liopropoma aurora has little importance to fisheries[7]. Occasionally they were collected for the aquarium trade[8]. Its rarity and endemic status shows a symbolic importance in Hawaiian reef biodiversity[8].

Conservation

The species was not yet assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)[7][9]. There are some potential threats such as habitat degradation, deep reef disturbance, and over-collection for aquariums. Conservation measures can be done with protection within Hawaiian marine reserves and broader reef conservation initiatives[9].

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Randall, John E.; Taylor, L. R. (1988). Review of the Indo-Pacific fishes of the serranid genus Liopropoma: with descriptions of seven species (published May 16, 1988). pp. 45–47.
  2. ^ a b "WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Liopropoma aurora (Jordan & Evermann, 1903)". www.marinespecies.org. Retrieved 2021-05-15.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g United States Fish Commission.; Commission, United States Fish; Commission, United States Fish (1902). Bulletin of the United States Fish Commission. Vol. v.22 (1902). Washington: The Commission, Govt. Print. Off.
  4. ^ a b Mundy, Bruce C. (2005). Bishop Museum Bulletins in Zoology (PDF) (6 ed.). Bishop Museum (published September 2005).
  5. ^ Jones, Stuart T.; Asher, Jacob M.; Boland, Raymond C.; Kanenaka, Brian K.; Weng, Kevin C. (2020-04-24). "Fish Biodiversity Patterns of a Mesophotic-to-Subphotic Artificial Reef Complex and Comparisons With Natural Substrates". PLOS ONE (published April 24, 2020).
  6. ^ a b Chave, E. H.; Mundy, B. C. (1994). Deep-sea Benthic Fish of the Hawaiian Archipelago, Cross Seamount, and Johnston Atoll (48 ed.). University of Hawaii Press. pp. 367–409.
  7. ^ a b "Liopropoma aurora summary page". FishBase. Retrieved 2025-11-21.
  8. ^ a b "Sunset Basslet, Liopropoma aurora". www.marinelifephotography.com. Retrieved 2025-11-21.
  9. ^ a b Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife. (2015). Hawaiʻi’s State Wildlife Action Plan: Sex-Changing Reef Fishes (Final Report). Honolulu, HI: DLNR.


allikas: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liopropoma_aurora