Overview
Comprehensive Description
Biology
Inhabits outer reef flats and exposed lagoon and seaward slopes from a depth of 3 to at least 30 m (Ref. 1602). Feeds mainly on algae (Ref. 26993). Females often in schools of mixed species when feeding, males usually seen separate (Ref. 48636).
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Parenti, P. and J.E. Randall 2000 An annotated checklist of the species of the labroid fish families Labridae and Scaridae. Ichthyol. Bull. J.L.B. Smith Inst. Ichthyol. (68):1-97. (Ref. 35918)
http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=35918&speccode=59627
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Distribution
Range Description
This species is found from Ryukyu Islands, Japan to New South Wales and Western Australia south to the Abrolhos Islands and eastwards to Fiji.
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Pacific Ocean: Christmas Island (Ref. 30874) and Western Australia in the eastern Indian Ocean to Fiji, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to Lord Howe Island.
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Myers, R.F. 1991 Micronesian reef fishes. Second Ed. Coral Graphics, Barrigada, Guam. 298 p. (Ref. 1602)
http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=1602&speccode=4306
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Physical Description
Morphology
Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 9
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Myers, R.F. 1991 Micronesian reef fishes. Second Ed. Coral Graphics, Barrigada, Guam. 298 p. (Ref. 1602)
http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=1602&speccode=4306
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Size
Max. size
31.0 cm TL (male/unsexed; (Ref. 9710))
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Lieske, E. and R. Myers 1994 Collins Pocket Guide. Coral reef fishes. Indo-Pacific & Caribbean including the Red Sea. Haper Collins Publishers, 400 p. (Ref. 9710)
http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=9710&speccode=13770
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Type Information
Paratype for Scarus chameleon Choat & Randall
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Fishes
Collector(s): J. Randall & et al.
Year Collected: 1973
Locality: Great Barrier Reef; Capricorn Group, Heron Island, N Side, Reef Flat and Reef Front., Queensland, Australia, Pacific
Depth (m): 1 to 4
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Fishes
Collector(s): J. Randall & et al.
Year Collected: 1973
Locality: Great Barrier Reef; Capricorn Group, Heron Island, N Side, Reef Flat and Reef Front., Queensland, Australia, Pacific
Depth (m): 1 to 4
- Paratype: Choat, J. H. & Randall, J. E. 1986. Records of the Australian Museum. 38 (4): 199.
© Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Fishes
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Ecology
Habitat
Habitat and Ecology
Habitat and Ecology
Systems
This species is solitary and is characteristic of sheltered and lagoonal marine environments from 1-30 m depth (Choat and Randall 1986). It can quickly alter or intensify its body color (G. Allen pers comm. 2009).
Systems
- Marine
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Depth range based on 8 specimens in 1 taxon.
Water temperature and chemistry ranges based on 6 samples.
Environmental ranges
Depth range (m): 0.9 - 56
Temperature range (°C): 25.709 - 28.529
Nitrate (umol/L): 0.151 - 0.822
Salinity (PPS): 34.500 - 35.312
Oxygen (ml/l): 4.536 - 4.727
Phosphate (umol/l): 0.131 - 0.189
Silicate (umol/l): 0.567 - 3.817
Graphical representation
Depth range (m): 0.9 - 56
Temperature range (°C): 25.709 - 28.529
Nitrate (umol/L): 0.151 - 0.822
Salinity (PPS): 34.500 - 35.312
Oxygen (ml/l): 4.536 - 4.727
Phosphate (umol/l): 0.131 - 0.189
Silicate (umol/l): 0.567 - 3.817
Note: this information has not been validated. Check this *note*. Your feedback is most welcome.
Water temperature and chemistry ranges based on 6 samples.
Environmental ranges
Depth range (m): 0.9 - 56
Temperature range (°C): 25.709 - 28.529
Nitrate (umol/L): 0.151 - 0.822
Salinity (PPS): 34.500 - 35.312
Oxygen (ml/l): 4.536 - 4.727
Phosphate (umol/l): 0.131 - 0.189
Silicate (umol/l): 0.567 - 3.817
Graphical representation
Depth range (m): 0.9 - 56
Temperature range (°C): 25.709 - 28.529
Nitrate (umol/L): 0.151 - 0.822
Salinity (PPS): 34.500 - 35.312
Oxygen (ml/l): 4.536 - 4.727
Phosphate (umol/l): 0.131 - 0.189
Silicate (umol/l): 0.567 - 3.817
Note: this information has not been validated. Check this *note*. Your feedback is most welcome.
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Environment
reef-associated; marine; depth range 3 - 30 m (Ref. 37816)
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Myers, R.F. 1999 Micronesian reef fishes: a comprehensive guide to the coral reef fishes of Micronesia, 3rd revised and expanded edition. Coral Graphics, Barrigada, Guam. 330 p. (Ref. 37816)
http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=37816&speccode=4307
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Trophic Strategy
Occurs inshore (Ref. 75154). Feeds by scraping algae from the substrate (Ref. 26993).
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Bellwood, D.R. and J.H. Choat 1990 A functional analysis of grazing in parrotfishes (family Scaridae): the ecological implications. Environ. Biol. Fish. 28:189-214. (Ref. 26993)
http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=26993&speccode=4976
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Molecular Biology and Genetics
Molecular Biology
Statistics of barcoding coverage: Scarus chameleon
Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 0
Species: 3
Species With Barcodes: 1
Public Records: 0
Species: 3
Species With Barcodes: 1
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Conservation
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List Assessment
Red List Category
LC
Least Concern
Red List Criteria
Version
3.1
Year Assessed
2010
Assessor/s
Choat, J.H., Russell, B., Clements, K.D., Rocha, L.A., Myers, R., Lazuardi, M.E., Muljadi, A., Pardede, S. & Rahardjo, P.
Reviewer/s
McIlwain, J. & Craig, M.T.
Contributor/s
Justification
This species is widespread in the Pacific. Although this species is never common in reef environments, it is widely distributed and too small to be targeted by specific fisheries. It is therefore listed as Least Concern.
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Trends
Population
Population
Population Trend
This species is moderately common over an extensive Indo-Australian west and southern Pacific range. Average abundance estimates in Australian waters were recorded at 15.4 individuals per 1,000 m2 (Choat and Bellwood 1985).
In Halmahera, Indonesia abundance estimates recorded 40 individuals per hectare (S. Pardede pers comm. 2009). It is occasionally found in Raja Ampat (Allen 2003). Stockwell et al. (2009) only found it in one site in the central Philippines.
In Halmahera, Indonesia abundance estimates recorded 40 individuals per hectare (S. Pardede pers comm. 2009). It is occasionally found in Raja Ampat (Allen 2003). Stockwell et al. (2009) only found it in one site in the central Philippines.
Population Trend
Unknown
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Threats
Threats
Major Threats
There are no major threats known for this species. In the Coral Triangle, increased fishing pressures and destructive fishing practices may be localized threats to this species. However, it is not commonly found in markets.
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Least Concern (LC)
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IUCN 2006 2006 IUCN red list of threatened species. www.iucnredlist.org. Downloaded July 2006.
http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=57073
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Management
Conservation Actions
Conservation Actions
There are no species-specific conservation measures in place for this species. However, its distribution overlaps several marine protected areas within its range.
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