Liopropoma aurora, commonly known as the Sunrise basslet, Sunset basslet, or Pikea aurora, is a species of deep-reef basslet endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. This specie is part of the family Serranidae, may be placed in Liopropomatidae[2] by David Starr Jordan and Barton Warren Evermann in 1903[3].
Description
Liopropoma aurora is a stout fish with a slightly elevated back and a long, pointed head[2]. The mouth is large with a projecting lower jaw[3]. The maxillary reached the posterior margin of the pupil. The teeth are arranged in bands on the jaws, vomer, and palatines[3]. The preopercle is slightly dentate, and the opercle ends in a broad flap with a weak flat spine. The caudal peduncle is deep and the fins are relatively small[3][2].
In life, the species is pale rosy dorsally and paler pink ventrally. A bold sulfur-yellow stripe runs from the upper jaw through the eye and into the opercular opening[2]. A secondary yellow stripe can appear across the cheek and posterior maxillary[2]. They have a yellow lower jaw tip. The dorsal fin is pale rosy while the caudal fin is dark rosy with a blackish-red edge and greenish-yellow margin lines[3]. The head and nape has a greenish-yellow vermiculation. However in alcohol, the body is a pale yellowish white with distinct brown spots and white specks.[2][3]
The head is approximately 63.5 mm as the body length is about 21 mm long[3][2]. The snout length is about 15.9 mm. the Liopropoma aurora has a scale count of 5-55-22[2][3].
The species are rarely captured and recovered from the stomachs of moray eels[2]. Its diet consists of small crustaceans and reef-associated organisms[2]. Reproductive behavior is not well documented but is suggested to follow patterns typical of serranids. Liopropoma aurora is closely related to Liopropoma lunulatum[2], which does not occur in Hawaii. Both species share yellow striping through the eye and fin banding, but they have different dorsal ray counts and caudal fin morphology[2].
Distribution & Habitat
Liopropoma aurora is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands having records from Honolulu and Hilo. It inhabits deep reef environments, typically between 21 and 184 m[4], though have been observed at depths greater than 200 m[5][6]. The species is engybenthic[4], living over hard substrates with holes, reef slabs, and crevices. Photographs were taken by the Hawaiʻi Undersea Research Laboratory submersibles Makali‘i and Pisces V at depths of 162–183 m[6].
Human Use & Cultural Significance
Liopropoma aurora has little importance to fisheries[7]. Occasionally they were collected for the aquarium trade[8]. Its rarity and endemic status shows a symbolic importance in Hawaiian reef biodiversity[8].
Conservation
The species was not yet assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)[7][9]. There are some potential threats such as habitat degradation, deep reef disturbance, and over-collection for aquariums. Conservation measures can be done with protection within Hawaiian marine reserves and broader reef conservation initiatives[9].
123456789101112Randall, John E.; Taylor, L. R. (1988). Review of the Indo-Pacific fishes of the serranid genus Liopropoma: with descriptions of seven species (published May 16, 1988). pp.45–47.
12345678United States Fish Commission.; Commission, United States Fish; Commission, United States Fish (1902). Bulletin of the United States Fish Commission. Vol.v.22 (1902). Washington: The Commission, Govt. Print. Off.
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