The Galápagos damsel (Azurina eupalama), also known as the blackspot chromis, is a possibly extinct fish species from the family Pomacentridae. It is endemic to the waters near the Galápagos Islands and Cocos Island.
Description
The Galápagos damsel reaches a length of 15 centimeters. It is olive-gray with a blue tinge, and silvery along the sides. There is a black spot at the base of each pectoral fin. It has a prominent lateral line.
Biology and occurrence
The Galápagos damsel has been recorded from following regions in Galápagos: Floreana, Gardiner Bay, Española, Tagus Cove, Isabela, Marchena, James Bay and Sullivan Bay, Santiago, Wreck Bay, San Cristóbal, Academy Bay, Santa Cruz and Santa Fe. One specimen, found many years ago, which is on display in the American Museum of Natural History, was collected near Cocos Island. The Galápagos damsel is a plankton feeder.
Possible extinction
The El Niñoâ€"Southern Oscillation of 1982 and 1983 led to an increase in the water temperature near the Galápagos Islands. Plankton production was reduced for at least one year, leading to drops in the populations of many planktivorous fish, such as the Galápagos damsel. Despite intensive searches during the next decade, it was not seen again. The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists the fish as a critically endangered species, and one which is possibly extinct. It notes, however, that "populations of A. eupalama may still exist on islands off Peru that have warm temperate conditions, such as the Lobos Islands.
References
Further reading
- Grove, J. S. and R. J. Lavenberg. The Fishes of the Galápagos Islands. Stanford University Press. 1997. ISBN 0-8047-2289-7
- Snodgrass, R. E. and E. Heller. Papers from the Hopkins Stanford Galapagos Expedition, 1898-1899. XV. New fishes. 1903.
