Halichoeres sanchezi n. sp., a new wrasse from the Revillagigedo Archipelago of Mexico, tropical eastern Pacific Ocean (Teleostei: Labridae)

Researchers have identified a new species of wrasse, Halichoeres sanchezi n. sp., in the Revillagigedo Archipelago, Mexico, adding to the region's endemic fish diversity. This discovery highlights unique genetic distinctions within the Halichoeres melanotis species complex, with H. sanchezi differing by 2.4% in mitochondrial DNA from its closest relative and exhibiting distinct color patterns—including a vermilion-orangish terminal-phase male with dark scale outlines and a black caudal band—not found in related species. The study employed an innovative approach during a 2022 expedition, combining underwater photography to document specimens in situ, tissue sampling, and museum vouchering, setting a precedent for collaborative ichthyofauna inventory in isolated archipelagos.

Victor, B. C., Frable, B. W., & Ludt, W. B. (2024). Halichoeres sanchezi n. sp., a new wrasse from the Revillagigedo Archipelago of Mexico, tropical eastern Pacific Ocean (Teleostei: Labridae). PeerJ, 12, e16828. Portico. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.16828