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| Pink Pipefish | Festucalex rufus
Allen & Erdmann, 2015
Fig. 3. Underwater photograph of Festucalex rufus, female holotype 37.8 mm SL, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea. Photo by G. R. Allen. Fig. 4. Underwater photograph of Festucalex rufus, female, approximately 38 mm SL, East Cape area, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea. Photo by N. DeLoach. |
Abstract
A new species of syngnathid pipefish, Festucalex rufus is described from Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea on the basis of four specimens, 26.5-37.8 mm SL collected from coral reef habitat in 10-20 m depth. It is distinguished from other members of the genus on the basis of a combination of features including a short snout (2.8-3.2 in head length), relatively low pectoral-ray count (10-11), and a lateral trunk ridge that terminates on the penultimate trunk ring. It is a small species with observed and collected individuals generally less than 40 mm SL and the single brood-pouch male collected measures 36.3 mm SL.
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| Fig. 2. Festucalex rufus, preserved holotype, 37.8 mm SL, showing close-up view of head. Fig. 3. Underwater photograph of Festucalex rufus, female holotype 37.8 mm SL, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea.
Photos by G. R. Allen.
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Allen, G.R. and Erdmann, M.V. 2015. Festucalex rufus, A New Species of Pipefish (Syngnathidae) from Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea. aqua, International Journal of Ichthyology. 21(1); 47-51.