Torquigener albomaculosus
| Torquigener albomaculosus | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Tetraodontiformes |
| Family: | Tetraodontidae |
| Genus: | Torquigener |
| Species: | T. albomaculosus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Torquigener albomaculosus Matsuura, 2014
| |
Torquigener albomaculosus, or the white-spotted pufferfish, is the 20th discovered[1] species of the genus Torquigener. The species was discovered in the ocean waters around the Ryukyu Islands in Japan off the south coast of Amami Ōshima Island.[1] Observed depths of the species range between 10 and 27 m (33 and 89 ft).[1] The fish's head and body are colored brown with white spots at the back.[1] Its abdomen is silvery-white with white spots.[1]
The males are known for creating circular nests as part of their mating ritual in the sand, measuring 2 m (6.6 ft) in diameter.[2] Such nest designs were noticed since 1995, but their creation remained a mystery until the species' discovery.[1] The nests are created to attract mates through the nest's impressive design and ability to gather fine sand particles, both of which influence a female's mate choice.[1][3] Males never reuse a nest.[3] The white-spotted pufferfish was originally thought to be unique among pufferfish in creating these elaborate nests,[1] however in 2018 similar nests were observed off the coast of Western Australia, presumably belonging to a related species of Torquigener.[4]
In 2015, the International Institute for Species Exploration named it as one of the "Top 10 New Species" discovered in 2014.[5][6] They were described by David Attenborough as "the greatest artist of the animal kingdom".
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f g h "New pufferfish species named". BBC Earth. 9 December 2014.
- ^ Matsuura K (2014). "A new pufferfish of the genus Torquigener that builds "mystery circles" on sandy bottoms in the Ryukyu Islands, Japan (Actinopterygii: Tetraodontiformes: Tetraodontidae)". Ichthyological Research. 62 (2): 207–212. doi:10.1007/s10228-014-0428-5. S2CID 254164102.
- ^ a b Kawase, Hiroshi; Okata, Yoji; Ito, Kimiaki (2013). "Role of Huge Geometric Circular Structures in the Reproduction of a Marine Pufferfish". Scientific Reports. 3 (1): 2106. Bibcode:2013NatSR...3E2106K. doi:10.1038/srep02106. ISSN 2045-2322. PMC 3696902. PMID 23811799.
- ^ Bond, Todd; Mueller, Robert J.; Birt, Matthew J.; Prince, Jane; Miller, Karen; Partridge, Julian C.; McLean, Dianne L. (2020). "Mystery pufferfish create elaborate circular nests at mesophotic depths in Australia". Journal of Fish Biology. 97 (5): 1401–1407. doi:10.1111/jfb.14506. hdl:10536/DRO/DU:30148257. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
- ^ "The ESF Top 10 New Species for 2015". State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
- ^ Berenson, Tessa (21 May 2015). "These Are the Top 10 New Species Discovered Last Year". Time. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
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