melas, Halichoeres Randall [J. E.] & Earle [J. L.] 1994:296, Pl. 8 [Fauna of Saudi Arabia v. 14; ref. 21642] Reef on west side of Sawda Island, Al Halaniyat (Kuria Muria Islands), southern Oman, Arabian Sea, depth 10 meters. Holotype: BPBM 36014. Paratypes: BPBM 36013 (1), USNM 329428 (1). •Synonym of Macropharyngodon lapillus (Smith 1947) -- (Kuiter 2010:282 [ref. 35285]). •Valid as Halichoeres melas Randall & Earle 1994 -- (Randall 1995:280 [ref. 22896], Parenti & Randall 2000:22 [ref. 24943], Manilo & Bogorodsky 2003:S114 [ref. 27377], Randall & Victor 2022:206 [ref. 39916]). Current status: Valid as Halichoeres melas Randall & Earle 1994. Labridae. Distribution: Northwestern Indian Ocean: southern Oman. Habitat: marine.