A Review of the Labrid Genus Paracheilinus, with the Description of a New Species from Melanesia

Abstract

The genus Paracheilinus Fourmanoir, previously known from a single specimen collected in the Red Sea, is reviewed and a new species is described from New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. Paracheilinus, which was not adequately defined when introduced by Fourmanoir, is a member of the labrid subfamily Cheilininae, which also includes Cheilinus, Cirrhilabrus, Pseudocheilinops, and Pseudocheilinus. It appears to be closely allied to Cirrhilabrus. The two genera are similar in body shape, dentition, and behavior. Paracheilinus filamentosus n.sp. differs from P. octotaenia Fourmanoir primarily on the basis of color pattern and shape of the head, dorsal fin, and caudal fin.