Population size structure has received little attention in studies of mechanisms that structure reef fish assemblages (ý0*Š”& 1998).

Upeneus vanuatu n. sp. differs from all other congeneric species by the combination of the following characteristics (Tables 1, 2): 19–20 (17–18 developed) gill rakers on lower limb, caudal-peduncle depth 7.8–8.4 % SL, interorbital length 7.0–7.6 % SL, and interdorsal distance 13–15 % SL.