Starksia robertsoni Baldwin, Victor & Castillo, 2011
Panama blackcheek shy blenny
photo by C.C. Baldwin et al.

Family:  Labrisomidae (Labrisomids)
Max. size:  2.1 cm SL (male/unsexed); 2.2 cm SL (female)
Environment:  benthopelagic; marine; depth range 5 - 15 m
Distribution:  Atlantic Ocean: Panama, Islas de Las Dos Hermanas, Portobelo (Ref. 86414).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 19-20; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7-7; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 16-16; Vertebrae: 31-32. This species of Starksia is distinguished by the following set of characters: orbital cirrus present; belly scaled; trunk pale to dark tan (dark orange/tan to bright orange in life), without distinct bars or other markings; lips without conspicuous white spotting in life; ventral surface of lower jaw of males with one to three dark blotches or bars in preserved specimens, lips without distinct banding or dark bars; dorsal-fin elements usually XX,7 – 27 total; vertebrae usually 10+22=32; dorsal spines + anal soft rays + vertebrae modally 75 (Ref. 86414).
Biology:  Depth range (5-15 m) given by B. Victor (pers. comm. 10/18).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 25 March 2011 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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