Cheilopogon papilio

Last updated

Cheilopogon papilio
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Beloniformes
Family: Exocoetidae
Genus: Cheilopogon
Species:
C. papilio
Binomial name
Cheilopogon papilio
(Clark, 1936)
Synonyms
  • Parexocoetus papilioClark, 1936

Cheilopogon papilio, the butterfly flyingfish, is a species of ray-finned fish within the family Exocoetidae, [1] distributed in the eastern Pacific off the coasts of Mexico in Baja California and the Revillagigedos Islands, as well as some areas off Costa Rica and Panama. Other common names of the species include the exocet papillon in French and volador mariposa in Spanish. [2]

Contents

Description

Cheilopogon papilio grows to a length of 21–22.2 cm (8.3–8.7 in). [3] [4] It has an elongated and cylindrical body covered in large smooth scales, with a blue-green back and silvery underbelly. Their lateral line is low on their body. They have a short head and short blunt snout, with a small mouth equipped with small teeth. The anal fin is transparent with 9 to 10 dorsal rays that originates under the third dorsal ray. The pectoral fins are black with clear narrow margins and tips. The caudal fin is deeply forked with a significantly larger lower lobe compared to the upper lobe. The pectoral fins are long and are set high on the body, and reach past the anal fin origin. The pelvic fins are originated far back on the body close to the caudal fin, also reaching past the anal fin origin. Juveniles have black dorsal fins, with two fused barbels under their chin. [4]

Habitat & ecology

Cheilopogon papilio lives in epipelagic coastal waters up to depths of 5 to 20 m (16 to 66 ft) below the ocean surface, feeding on planktonic organisms and small fish. [2] [3] Just like other members within its family, C. papilio uses its large pectoral fins to glide considerable distances when leaping out of the water to escape potential predators such as tuna, dolphins, mahi-mahi, marlin, squid, and porpoises. Reproduction is oviparus with the release of sticky filaments that attach themselves to floating and benthic weeds. [3]

Conservation

Cheilopogon papilio has been classified as a 'least concern' species by the IUCN Red List, as even though there is no population data on the species, its distribution overlaps with some Marine Protected Areas, paired with no known major threats that may effect the species. No specific conservation efforts towards the C. papilio have been made. [2]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White marlin</span> Species of fish

The white marlin, also known as Atlantic white marlin, marlin, skilligalee, is a species of billfish that lives in the epipelagic zone of the tropical and subtropical Atlantic Ocean. They are found between the latitudes of 45° N and 45° S in waters deeper than 100 m. Even though white marlin are found in bodies of water that are deeper than 100 m they tend to stay near the surface. White marlin have been found near banks, shoals, and canyons, but they are not limited to those locations. They prefer warm surface temperatures greater than 22 °C.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Atlantic threadfin</span> Species of fish

The Atlantic threadfin is a species of ray-finned fish, a threadfin from the family Polynemidae native to subtropical and temperate waters of the western Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Creek whaler</span> Species of shark

The creek whaler is a common species of requiem shark, and part of the family Carcharhinidae, endemic to northern Australia. It frequents shallow waters close to shore, including estuaries. This small, stocky shark usually grows to 1.0–1.3 m (3.3–4.3 ft) long and is brownish in color without conspicuous fin markings. It can be identified by its long snout, large, triangular pectoral fins, and large, anteriorly positioned first dorsal fin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Borneo shark</span> Rare species of requiem shark

The Borneo shark is a species of requiem shark, and part of the family Carcharhinidae. Extremely rare, it is known only from inshore waters around Mukah in northwestern Borneo, though it may once have been more widely distributed. A small, gray shark reaching 65 cm (26 in) in length, this species is the only member of its genus with a row of enlarged pores above the corners of its mouth. It has a slender body with a long, pointed snout and a low second dorsal fin placed posterior to the anal fin origin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spotted drum</span> Species of fish

The spotted drum or spotted ribbonfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sciaenidae, the drums and croakers. This species is found in the western Atlantic Ocean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Giant African threadfin</span> Species of fish

The giant African threadfin is a species of ray-finned fish from the threadfin family Polynemidae. It is found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean off the west coast of Africa.

<i>Bellator militaris</i> Species of fish

Bellator militaris, the horned sea robin, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Triglidae, the sea robins. This fish is found in the western Atlantic Ocean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yellow shiner</span> Species of fish

The yellow shiner is a species of ray-finned fish in the genus Notropis. It is endemic to Mexico where it is found in the Rio Lerma - Rio Grande de Santiago and Rio Pánuco in central Mexico. It forms a species complex within the genus Notropis with the Ameca shiner and the now-extinct Durango shiner.

The flagtail swellshark is a little-known species of catshark, belonging to the family Scyliorhinidae, found at a depth of 480–700 m (1,570–2,300 ft) off northeastern Queensland, and possibly also nearby islands. This stout-bodied shark has a short, broad, and flattened head with a capacious mouth. Adults have a variegated brown coloration with 9–10 darker dorsal saddles and V-shaped blotch at the tip of the upper caudal fin lobe. Juveniles are yellow with narrow brown bars instead of saddles, and a distinctive marking between the spiracles shaped like two loops connected by a line. Like other swellsharks, this species can inflate its body when threatened.

<i>Bellator egretta</i> Species of fish

Bellator egretta, the streamer searobin, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Triglidae, the sea robins. This fish is found in the western Atlantic Ocean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scamp grouper</span> Species of fish

The scamp grouper, also known as scamp, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a grouper from the subfamily Epinephelinae which is part of the family Serranidae, which also includes the anthias and sea basses. It is found in the western Atlantic Ocean.

The yellowmouth grouper, also known as the crossband rockfish, grey mannock, hamlet, harlequin rockfish, princess rockfish, rockfish, salmon grouper, salmon rock fish or scamp, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a grouper from the subfamily Epinephelinae which is part of the family Serranidae, which also includes the anthias and sea basses. It is found in the Caribbean and in the tropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean. It is also found in pockets in Brazil. It is a fairly large fish and it gets its name from the yellow around its mouth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lunar fusilier</span> Species of fish

The lunar fusilier, also known as the blue fusilier or moon fusilier, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a fusilier belonging to the family Caesionidae. It is widespread throughout the tropical waters of the Indo-West Pacific area.

<i>Cheilopogon nigricans</i> Species of fish

Cheilopogon nigricans, the blacksail flyingfish, also known as African flyingfish, or leaping flyingfish, is a flying fish in the family Exocoetidae. It is an oceanodromous, plankton-eating marine fish which has commercial value.

<i>Exocoetus volitans</i> Species of fish

Exocoetus volitans, commonly known as the tropical two-wing flyingfish or blue flyingfish, is a species of ray-finned fish native to tropical and subtropical seas. It can glide above the surface of the sea to escape predators.

<i>Exocoetus obtusirostris</i> Species of fish

Exocoetus obtusirostris, commonly known as the oceanic two-wing flyingfish or the blunt-snouted flyingfish, is a species of ray-finned fish native to the tropical and subtropical western Atlantic Ocean. It has the ability to glide above the surface of the water to escape from predators.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal threadfin</span> Species of fish

The royal threadfin is a species of ray-finned fish, a threadfin from the family Polynemidae, the threadfins. It is found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean along the western coast of Africa.

Exocoetus peruvianus, commonly known as the Peruvian flyingfish, is a species of ray-finned fish endemic to the tropical southeast Pacific Ocean in the waters off Peru and Ecuador.

<i>Lepidotrigla papilio</i> Species of fish

Lepidotrigla papilio, the spiny gurnard, butterfly gurnard, Eastern spiny gurnard or Southern spiny gurnard. is a species of demersal marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Triglidae, the gurnards and sea robins. This species is endemic to Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brownmargin flathead</span> Species of fish

The brownmargin flathead is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Platycephalidae, the flatheads. It is found off northern Australia.

References

  1. "WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Cheilopogon papilio (Clark, 1936)". www.marinespecies.org. Retrieved 2022-11-11.
  2. 1 2 3 "IUCN Red List, Cheilopogon papilio". www.iucnredlist.org. Retrieved 2022-11-11.
  3. 1 2 3 "Butterfly Flyingfish". Mexico - Fish, Birds, Crabs, Marine Life, Shells and Terrestrial Life. 2015-08-24. Retrieved 2022-11-11.
  4. 1 2 "Cheilopogon papilio, Butterfly flyingfish". www.fishbase.se. Retrieved 2022-11-11.