Lipogramma idabeli Tornabene, Robertson & Baldwin, 2018
Blue-backed basslet
Lipogramma idabeli
photo by Luke Tornabene et al., 2018

Family:  Grammatidae (Basslets)
Max. size:  2.63 cm (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 122 - 165 m
Distribution:  Western Caribbean: Honduras.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 12-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 7-8; Vertebrae: 25-25. This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: pectoral-fin rays 15-16 (modally 16); gill rakers 18-20 total with 10-11 elongate rakers plus 2-4 short, stout rudiments on lower limb, 3-4 elongate rakers plus 1-3 rudiments on upper limb. Colouration when alive: body mostly yellow to tan with bright iridescent blue coloration on eye, dorsal portion of head, nape and dorsal portion of trunk beneath the spinous-dorsal fin; an oblique yellow bar from tip of snout to orbit and below eye; a large, round, black blotch outlined with blue below anterior origin of dorsal fin; a dark ocellus outlined in blue with yellow or dark center at rear insertion of dorsal fin that extends onto body (Ref. 119366).
Biology:  Observed frequently in the mid-to-upper rariphotic zone between 122-165 meters in or around small rock crevices, rock piles, or caves situated on steep limestone walls covered with coarse sediment and fine rubble composed of dead sections of Halimeda (Ref. 119366).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 09 October 2018 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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