Decoy scorpionfish

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Decoy scorpionfish
FMIB 42564 Iracundus signifer Jordan & Evermann From the type 1.jpeg
Decoy Scorpionfish.jpg
Decoy Scorpionfish on reef near Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Scorpaeniformes
Family: Scorpaenidae
Subfamily: Scorpaeninae
Tribe: Scorpaenini
Genus: Iracundus
Jordan & Evermann
Species:
I. signifer
Binomial name
Iracundus signifer
Jordan & Evermann, 1903
Synonyms [2]
  • Scorpaena asperella Bennett, 1828
  • Sebastapistes asperella(Bennett, 1828)

The decoy scorpionfish (Iracundus signifer) is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes. It is native to the Western Indian and Pacific oceans. A non-migratory species, I. signifer can be observed in close association with coral reefs at depths of from 10 to 70 metres (33 to 230 ft). This species grows to a length of 13 centimetres (5.1 in) TL. This species is the only known member of its genus [3] and can be distinguished by its unique prey-luring behavior.

Contents

Taxonomy

The decoy scorpionfish is a ray-finned fish, a member of the class Actinopterygii, belonging to the family Scorpaenidae, also known as the scorpionfish, which are aptly named due to many of its species possessing the capacity to produce a venomous mucus on the tips of their spines. [4] This species was first formally described in 1903 by the American ichthyologists David Starr Jordan and Barton Warren Evermann with the type locality given as Oahu in Hawaii. [5] The decoy scorpionfish is the sole member of the genus Iracundus. [6] The genus name Iracundus means “wrathful” and is an allusion to the red color of this species. The specific name signifer is a compound of signa meaning “mark” and fera which means “to bear”, a reference to the black spot on the spiny part of the dorsal fin. [7]

Distribution and habitat

The decoy scorpionfish is native to the tropical coral reefs of both the Indian and Pacific oceans. In the Indian Ocean, I. signifer has been observed along the coast of South Africa, as well as the islands of Mauritius and Reunion. In the Pacific, it has been observed in the Hawaiian islands, the Ryukyu islands, and Taiwan. [4] Like other scorpionfishes, I. signifer is a benthic organism, remaining in close proximity to the seafloor and coral reef for shelter, as well as camouflage from predators and prey. Its most preferred habitat is within the cavernous, rubble-laden inlets underneath the edges of the coral reefs. [4] [8]

Morphology

The decoy scorpionfish is a small, spiny fish, much like most other members of the family Scorpaenidae. The reddish-orange to white coloring covering most of the fish's body serves as camouflage along the Indo-pacific coral reefs where it resides. The decoy scorpionfish has a stocky, football-like body that can reach up to 13 cm (total length), [9] which is an average length for species within the Scorpaenidae family. Its body is covered in small to medium-sized venomous spines, a characteristic trait of all scorpionfish, the venom from which can be lethal to humans. These spines protrude from nearly everywhere across the fish's body, including ones protruding from around the eyes, along a fleshy membrane surrounding the head, and between the scales of the back, concentrated mostly in a stripe on each side running laterally to the spine. The dorsal fins are broad and fan-like, with deep notches in the membrane between each spine. [10] Like many other members of the family Scorpaenidae, I. signifer can actively change the color of their bodies in response to their environment. [4] [8] This behavior usually involves displaying more dull colors when attempting to camouflage itself, and flashing brighter colors in the presence of a predator. [4]

Likely the most unique aspect of this fish is the patterning of the dorsal fin itself. The fourth dorsal spine is nearly twice the length of the others, and there exists a distinct black mark appearing somewhere along the membrane between the first and third dorsal spines, with the combination of the two traits resulting in the dorsal fin having the appearance of an even smaller fish. I. signifer utilizes this morphological feature in a coordinated luring mechanism not seen in any other members of the Scorpaenidae family. [8]

Luring behavior

The decoy scorpionfish has been noted on multiple accounts to display a unique prey-luring mechanism, involving the movement of its dorsal fin. The form of I. signifer's dorsal fin strongly resembles that of a small fish, with the fourth dorsal spine representing the dorsal fin of the lure fish, and a small black dot between dorsal spines 1-3 representing the eye. [9] [8] The decoy scorpionfish has developed a method of moving this fin so that it also behaves like a fish would. By moving the first dorsal spine in a figure-eight like pattern, the rest of the fin follows in a wave-like pattern of movement, while also moving laterally from side to side. This motion causes the dorsal fin to resemble a small fish gyrating in the water. The fish-like shape of the fin is emphasized by the more subtle movement between the first and second dorsal spines, which continually move closer and then further apart, mimicking the opening and closing of a fish's mouth. [8] Another factor to this behavior is the active color-changing between the fin and body, as during luring, the normally deep red dorsal fin becomes much more intense in color, and the body of the fish conversely becomes more dull as a camouflage mechanism. [4] [8]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scorpaenidae</span> Family of fishes

The Scorpaenidae are a family of mostly marine fish that includes many of the world's most venomous species. As their name suggests, scorpionfish have a type of "sting" in the form of sharp spines coated with venomous mucus. The family is a large one, with hundreds of members. They are widespread in tropical and temperate seas but mostly found in the Indo-Pacific. They should not be confused with the cabezones, of the genus Scorpaenichthys, which belong to a separate, though related, family, Cottidae.

<i>Scorpaena cardinalis</i> Species of fish

Scorpaena cardinalis, the eastern red scorpionfish, grandfather hapuku, cardinal scorpionfish, Cook's scorpionfish, Cook's rockcod, Kermadec scorpionfish, Northern scorpionfish, red scorpion fish, red scorpion-cod or Sandy-bay cod, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes. It is found in the southwestern Pacific Ocean.

<i>Dendrochirus biocellatus</i> Species of fish

Dendrochirus biocellatus, the twospot turkeyfish, twinspot lionfish, twoeyed lionfish or ocellated lionfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes and lionfishes. This species is widespread throughout the tropical waters of the Indo-West Pacific region, In the wild, the species eats small fish as well as shrimp.

<i>Scorpaenodes</i> Genus of fishes

Scorpaenodes is a widespread genus of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes. The fishes in this genus are found to the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Ocean.

<i>Scorpaena</i> Genus of fishes

Scorpaena is a widespread genus of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes.

<i>Dendrochirus zebra</i> Species of fish

Dendrochirus zebra, known commonly as the zebra turkeyfish or zebra lionfish among other vernacular names, is a species of marine fish in the family Scorpaenidae.

<i>Taenianotus</i> Species of fish

Taenianotus is a monotypic genus of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes. Its only species is Taenianotus triacanthus, the leaf scorpionfish, paperfish, paper scorpionfish, sailfin leaffish or threespine scorpionfish. This taxon has a wide Indo-Pacific distribution.

<i>Rhinopias frondosa</i> Species of fish

Rhinopias frondosa, the weedy scorpionfish or the weed fish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes. This species is found in the Indo-West Pacific. It is a rare but highly desirable fish in the aquarium trade.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flasher scorpionfish</span> Species of fish

The flasher scorpionfish, or rough humpback scorpionfish is a species of venomous marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes. This species is found in the western Pacific Ocean.

<i>Scorpaenopsis papuensis</i> Species of fish

Scorpaenopsis papuensis, the Papuan scorpionfish, is a species of venomous marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes. It is found in the Indo-West Pacific.

<i>Sebastapistes cyanostigma</i> Species of fish

Sebastapistes cyanostigma, the yellowspotted scorpionfish, coral scorpionfish or pink and yellow scorpionfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes. It is found in the Indo-Pacific. It occasionally makes its way into the aquarium trade. It grows to 10 cm in length.

Scorpaena sumptuosa, the western red scorpionfish, western red rockcod, western red scorpioncod or western scorpionfish, is a venomous species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes. It is found in Western Australia.

<i>Pterois sphex</i> Species of fish

Pterois sphex, the Hawaiian turkeyfish or Hawaiian lionfish is a species of ray-finned fish with venomous spines belonging to the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes and lionfishes. It is found in the eastern Central Pacific, specifically in marine waters off of Hawaii. It is found in seaward reefs and lagoons at depths from 3 – 122 m.

<i>Scorpaenodes evides</i> Species of fish

Scorpaenodes evides, the cheekspot scorpionfish, little scorpionfish or shore scorpionfish, is a species of venomous marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes. This species is found in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

<i>Scorpaenopsis diabolus</i> Species of fish

Scorpaenopsis diabolus, the false stonefish, false scorpionfish or the devil scorpionfish, is a species of venomous marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes. It has venomous spines and lives in the tropical Indian and Pacific Oceans as well as in the Red Sea. It is a bottom-dwelling predator that relies on its camouflage to catch passing prey.

<i>Scorpaenopsis barbata</i> Species of fish

Scorpaenopsis barbata, the bearded scorpionfish, is a species of venomous marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes. This species is found in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

<i>Scorpaena brasiliensis</i> Species of fish

Scorpaena brasiliensis, the barbfish, goosehead, scorpionfish, orange scorpionfish and red barbfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes. It is found in the Western Atlantic Ocean. This species has venom on its fin spines.

<i>Scorpaena plumieri</i> Species of fish

Scorpaena plumieri, the spotted scorpionfish, is a species of venomous marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes. It is found in the Atlantic Ocean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Filamentous scorpionfish</span> Species of Fish

The filamentous scorpionfish is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes. It is found in the Indo-West Pacific. It is the only species in the monotypic genus Hipposcorpaena.

<i>Scorpaena jacksoniensis</i> Species of fish

Scorpaena jacksoniensis, the Eastern red scorpionfish, Billy Bougain, cardinal scorpionfish, coral cod, coral perch, Eastern red scorpioncod, fire cod, Northern scorpionfish, ocean perch, prickly heat, red rockcod or red scorpion-cod, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes. It is found in the south western Pacific Ocean.

References

  1. Motomura, H.; Matsuura, K. (2016). "Iracundus signifer". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016: e.T69794152A69800942. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T69794152A69800942.en . Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  2. Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2021). "Iracundus signifer" in FishBase. August 2021 version.
  3. Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2021). Species of Iracundus in FishBase . August 2021 version.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Santhanam, R. (2019). Biology and Ecology of Venomous Marine Scorpionfishes (Family Scorpaenidae). Biology and Ecology of Venomous Marine Scorpionfishes, 2-9. doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-815475-5.00003-0
  5. Eschmeyer, William N.; Fricke, Ron & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Species in the genus Iracundus". Catalog of Fishes . California Academy of Sciences . Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  6. "Taxonomy browser (Iracundus signifer)". www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved 2020-04-13.
  7. Christopher Scharpf & Kenneth J. Lazara, eds. (2 October 2021). "Order Perciformes (Part 9): Suborder Scorpaenoidei: Family Scorpaenidae". The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database. Christopher Scharpf and Kenneth J. Lazara. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Shallenberger, R. J., & Madden, W. D. (1973). Luring Behavior in the Scorpionfish, Iracundus signifer. Behaviour, 47(1/2), 33–47. Retrieved from www.jstor.org/stable/4533540
  9. 1 2 Smith, Margaret M.; Heemstra, Phillip C. (2012-12-06). Smiths' Sea Fishes. Springer Science & Business Media. ISBN   978-3-642-82858-4.
  10. Jordan, David Starr, and Barton Warren Evermann. “Bulletin of the United States Fish Commission.” V.22 (1902) - Bulletin of the United States Fish Commission., The Commission, Govt. Print. Off., 1 Jan. 1970