Torquigener albomaculosus

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Not to be confused with white-spotted puffer.

Torquigener albomaculosus
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Tetraodontiformes
Family: Tetraodontidae
Genus: Torquigener
Species:
T. albomaculosus
Binomial name
Torquigener albomaculosus
, 2014
Circular nest of a Torquigener pufferfish

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] As of 2014, the white-spotted pufferfish is thought to be the only species that creates these shapes.[1]

In 2015, the International Institute for Species Exploration named it as one of the "Top 10 New Species" discovered in 2014.[4][5]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "New pufferfish species named". BBC Earth. 9 December 2014.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ a b Kawase, H., Okata, Y., & Ito, K. (2013). "Role of Huge Geometric Circular Structures in the Reproduction of a Marine Pufferfish". Scientific Reports. 3: 2106. doi:10.1038/srep02106. PMC 3696902. PMID 23811799.CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
  4. ^ "The ESF Top 10 New Species for 2015". State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
  5. ^ Berenson, Tessa (21 May 2015). "These Are the Top 10 New Species Discovered Last Year". Time. Retrieved 13 November 2015.


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