First confirmed report of Cephalopholis cruentata (Lacépède, 1802) (Perciformes: Epinephelidae) from Brazilian waters with notes about its occurrence in Venezuela

Abstract

We report the first confirmed record of the Graysby, Cephalopholis cruentata (Lacépède, 1802), from Brazilian waters, based on specimens collected at the Great Amazon Mesophotic Reef System (GAMRS), a complex environment with a consolidated bottom formed by living organisms. The new finding solves the discussion about the presence of the species in Brazilian waters and extends its distribution for about 400 km eastwards to the north coast of Brazil. Morphometric and meristic data of the specimens are provided and compared to literature. New data about the occurrence of the species in Venezuelan waters are also presented.