Eclipse-spot razor wrasse explained

The eclipse-spot razor wrasse (Iniistius bakunawa) is a species of wrasse native to the Indo-Pacific. This fish is in the family Labridae.^{[1] [2]}

Discovery

The species was written from seven specimens obtained from public fish markets from the Philippines, and two specimens from deep channel trawls from Western Australia. This fish was discovered in 2023, but the seven specimens found in the public fish markets were discovered in 2018.

Appearance

The new species is highly distinctive in having a pale jade green body with a large black and white concentric ellipsoid ocellus on the posterior edge of its dorsal fin.^[3]

Naming

The species was named Bakunawa, referring to a draconic creature in Visayan mythology that would have caused an eclipse by devouring the moon. The name was given in reference to the eclipse-like mark on the dorsal fin, which resembles a total solar eclipse.^[4]

Notes and References

1. Web site: FAMILY Details for Labridae - Wrasses . 2023-10-13 . fishbase.mnhn.fr.
2. Web site: CAS - Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes . 2023-10-13 . researcharchive.calacademy.org.
3. Sorgon . Kent Elson S. . Tea . Yi-Kai . Meren . Jasmin C. . Nañola Jr. . Cleto L. . Iniistius bakunawa, a new species of razor wrasse (Teleostei: Labridae) from the Philippines and Western Australia . . 71 . 511–519.
4. Web site: Iniistius bakunawa . 2023-10-13 . fishesofaustralia.net.au.