Diagnosis: The modal fin-ray count of D-XX,7 A-II,16-17 and P-13 indicates Starksia nanodes, as well as S. robertsoni from Panama and S. aff. lepicoelia from Barbados which share the strong mode of D-XX,7. Precise knowledge of the locality and the sympatric congeners (or DNA sequencing) is required for species-level identification among this group of species. (DNA) Description: Body long, narrow, and thin with a large round eye, pointed snout, and medium terminal mouth. Long continuous dorsal and anal fins with a short and narrow caudal peduncle. Pectoral fins long, reaching past the vent, and pelvic fins long and thread-like, reaching about half-way to the vent. There are no cranial, deep nuchal, otic, or cheek melanophores. There are no melanophores along the dorsal-fin or caudal-fin base. There is a single large isthmus melanophore and no pelvic melanophores. The anal row starts at the fifth soft ray and ends before the last several rays. Internal retroperitoneal melanophores are only visible on less-developed larvae. Transitional larvae develop metamorphic melanophores in a loose banded pattern over the cranium and a short bar below the eye at 6 o'clock. Analogues: Larvae are distinguished from other labrisomid genera by the absence of cranial, deep nuchal, cheek, otic, and pelvic melanophores, as well as a wider interorbital region and a relatively short anal row (and the fin-ray counts detailed above). Larvae of the S. lepicoelia, S. ocellata, and S. atlantica complexes are larger at transition and the anal row extends to the end of the fin; the latter two complexes have cranial and/or pelvic melanophores and 14 pectoral-fin rays and variously higher dorsal and anal fin-ray counts.
Starksia nanodes, the dwarf blenny, is a species of labrisomid blenny native to coral reefs of the Caribbean Sea and the adjacent Atlantic Ocean. This species can reach a length of 2.2 cm (0.87 in) SL.[2]
Starksia nanodes, the dwarf blenny, is a species of labrisomid blenny native to coral reefs of the Caribbean Sea and the adjacent Atlantic Ocean. This species can reach a length of 2.2 cm (0.87 in) SL.
