Ekemblemaria lira

Species infomation

Distinctive features:

1. Palm-like cirri.
2. Eye-sized dark blotch on cheek.
3. Males with light bars along body.

Physical description:

Simple nasal cirri. Palm-like orbital cirri which is long with short branches on the side and long branches at the top.
Males: orbital cirri longer than 1/3rd the eye diameter.
Females: orbital cirri shorter than 1/3rd the eyd diameter.

Colouration:

Blotch on cheek around the size of the eye. Faint blotch on pectoral fin base. Lower jaw has 2 black thin stripes. Orbital cirri with two bands of black, one at the base and one at the top. Dorsal fin base with ~10 black blotches.
Males: row of light bars along body which become fainter posteriorly
Females: midflank may have V-shaped blotches or no patterns.

Size:

Reaches 7.0 cm.

Habitat:

Found in tidepools.

Notes:

Only known from a few specimens found in Las Palmas, Ecuador.