Torquigener albomaculosus
Species of fish From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]
| 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 | |
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
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