A New Species of Soapfish (Teleostei: Serranidae: Rypticus), with Redescription of R. subbifrenatus and Comments on the Use of DNA Barcoding in Systematic Studies
A new species of Rypticus is described from the Bahamas, Bermuda, Florida, and the Caribbean Sea. The species previously has been confused with the spotted soapfish, R. subbifrenatus Gill 1861, with which it shares a similar pattern of dark spotting on the body. The new species differs from R. subbifrenatus in having yellow pigment on the pectoral fin and distal portions of the soft dorsal, caudal, and anal fins in life (pale in preservative); a different configuration of dark spots on the head; usually dark spots on the belly and caudal fin; almost always four dorsal-fin spines; and modally 25 total dorsal-fin elements, 15 pectoral-fin rays, and 23 total caudal-fin rays. The lower jaw typically extends further anteriorly beyond the upper jaw in the new species than in R. subbifrenatus, and the caudal peduncle is usually narrower. The new Rypticus typically inhabits deeper waters than R. subbifrenatus, and is commonly found on vertical slopes and walls vs. shallow, flat areas. The new species likely would have continued to go unnoticed without examination of genetic data, as there was little reason to look further at R. subbifrenatus until DNA barcoding revealed two distinct genetic lineages within the species. The value of DNA barcoding data in systematic studies and the need for increased support of taxonomy are highlighted. A neotype for Rypticus subbifrenatus is designated.
Neighbor-joining tree derived from cytochrome c oxidase I sequences showing several genetically distinct lineages of western Atlantic Rypticus.
Color in preservative of (A) Rypticus carpenteri, new species, holotype, USNM 387946, 54.0 mm SL and (B) Rypticus subbifrenatus, neotype, USNM 106516, 61.0 mm SL. Note pale vs. dark pectoral and vertical fins.
Interorbital pigment in (A) Rypticus carpenteri, new species, UF 158246, 69.6 mm SL and (B) Rypticus subbifrenatus, USNM 318539, 74.0 mm SL.
Comparisons of color patterns between Rypticus carpenteri, new species, and Rypticus subbifrenatus. Left column, top to bottom: USNM 401043, DNA number CUR 8304; USNM 401040, DNA number BLZ 8230; USNM 401294, DNA number BLZ 5140 (photo by J. Mounts); USNM 401044, DNA number TOB 9103; USNM 387946, holotype (photo by J. T. Williams); USNM 401297, DNA number TOB 9197; USNM 401046, DNA number TOB 9178. Right column, top to bottom: USNM 401279, DNA number BAH 10090; USNM 401265, DNA number TOB 9256; USNM 401274, DNA number BLZ 5212 (photo by J. Mounts); USNM 401245, DNA number BLZ 7190 (photo by J. Mounts); USNM 401262, DNA number TOB 9106; USNM 401037, DNA number BLZ 8059; DNA number FLA 7397 (no voucher).
(A) Juvenile Rypticus sp., UF 158232, 12.5 mm SL; (B) juvenile Rypticus subbifrenatus, UF 18047, 17.0 mm SL; and (C) juvenile Rypticus carpenteri, new species, USNM 389823, 16.0 mm SL.
Distributions of Rypticus carpenteri, new species, and Rypticus subbifrenatus.
Comparison of depths of capture of Rypticus carpenteri, new species, and Rypticus subbifrenatus.
Contributor Notes
Associate Editor: L. Smith.