Labrus sp., 1758

Ceríaco, Luis M. P., Santos, Bruna S., Semedo, Thiago B. F., Garcia, Lucas Canes & Moreira, Cristiano Rangel, 2023, The fish collection of José Mariano da Conceição Veloso (1742 - 1811) and the beginning of ichthyological research in Brazil, with a taxonomic description of the extant specimens, Zootaxa 5391 (1), pp. 1-85 : 49-50

Labrus sp.

Extant specimens: MCUC ZOO.0000049 ( Fig. 36 ).

Classification on the specimen: None.

Common names on the specimen (Portuguese/Tupi): None.

Comments: This specimen exhibits several distinctive characteristics that set it apart from the other herborized fishes in this collection. Firstly, it represents the only extant herborized fish species not native to the Western Atlantic region. Additionally, it stands out as the sole specimen where the incision on the head has not resulted in the separation of its sides, as both parts remain affixed to the herbarium sheet. Moreover, this specimen has been mounted in an inverted orientation, with what we think is the original classification placed closer to the fish’s abdomen.

Unfortunately, the herbarium sheet has suffered significant fading over time, obscuring the original classification and Portuguese name, making them illegible. Only the abbreviations “P. Th.” Of the classification remain discernible. As a result, we hypothesize that this particular specimen was likely prepared in Portugal, potentially utilizing a previously used herbarium sheet that may have misplaced the specimen after Veloso’s specimens were dispatched. Further examination and analysis are necessary to ascertain the precise origin and classification of this specimen. This is an unidentifiable species of the genus Labrus , a genus with four valid species restricted to the Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea ( Westneat 2016), with no record in the Western Atlantic.

Figures

FIGURE 36. Labrus sp., MCUC ZOO.0000049, 305 mm SL. Photo by Luis M. P. Ceríaco.