Sturisoma rocha is a new species of Brazilian parrotfish which was recently described from the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean. The six specimens of S. rocha were collected from Trindade Island off of Southeastern coast of Brazil and they differ from other Sparisoma in the area in color pattern and genetic markers. Other southern Atlantic parrotfish species also have reddish initial phase adult coloration but what set S. rocha apart is the yellow stripe that bridles the face of terminal phase Sparisoma rocha specimens. This color distinction is what led to speculation about the species and further genetic testing confirmed that S. rocha has some gene sequences that are unique to this species. The new Sparisoma rocha species was described by Pinheiro, Gasparini and Sazima in the latest issue of Zootaxa and the species was named in honor of the aquarist and ichthyologist, Dr. Luiz Rocha.
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