Pensoft: Checklist of biodiversity data
Info
Flagfish (Plectranthias polygonius) lives in highly complex reefs covered predominantly with coralline algae and sponges, and in crevices of steep reef walls (Marshall Islands), suggesting that this species is probably more widely distributed in the Pacific.
A all known specimens have been observed or collected at mesophotic depths, suggesting that this species, like most of its relatives, does not live in shallow coral reef habitats.
Plectranthias polygonius appears to be the same species as an undescribed Plectranthias species photographed off Rangiroa, French Polynesia, in 2013 at a depth of 65 meters.
However, there are some superficial differences between our specimen and the one in Williams et al. (2013), including the thickness of the white lines on the upper body and the color of the iris; these may be due to individual differences.
Etymology
Plectranthias polygonius is named for the orange, rhombus-shaped polygons arranged in parallel rows along the lateral midline that distinguish the flag perch from all other known species in the genus.
Literature reference:
Shepherd B, Phelps TAY, Pinheiro HT, Rocha CR, Rocha LA (2020)
Two new species of Plectranthias (Teleostei, Serranidae, Anthiadinae) from mesophotic coral ecosystems in the tropical Central Pacific.
ZooKeys 941: 145-161. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.941.50243
A all known specimens have been observed or collected at mesophotic depths, suggesting that this species, like most of its relatives, does not live in shallow coral reef habitats.
Plectranthias polygonius appears to be the same species as an undescribed Plectranthias species photographed off Rangiroa, French Polynesia, in 2013 at a depth of 65 meters.
However, there are some superficial differences between our specimen and the one in Williams et al. (2013), including the thickness of the white lines on the upper body and the color of the iris; these may be due to individual differences.
Etymology
Plectranthias polygonius is named for the orange, rhombus-shaped polygons arranged in parallel rows along the lateral midline that distinguish the flag perch from all other known species in the genus.
Literature reference:
Shepherd B, Phelps TAY, Pinheiro HT, Rocha CR, Rocha LA (2020)
Two new species of Plectranthias (Teleostei, Serranidae, Anthiadinae) from mesophotic coral ecosystems in the tropical Central Pacific.
ZooKeys 941: 145-161. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.941.50243
