Diplodus argenteus

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Diplodus argenteus
Diplodus argenteus.jpg
Diplodus argenteus photographed on a reef near Cabo Frio, Brazil
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Acanthuriformes
Family: Sparidae
Genus: Diplodus
Species:
D. argenteus
Binomial name
Diplodus argenteus
(Valenciennes, 1830)
Synonyms
  • Sargus argenteusValenciennes, 1830
  • Sparus sargo Larrañaga, 1923

Diplodus argenteus, the silver porgy, is an ocean-going species of sparid fish (seabream/porgies). It is also called the South American silver porgy [1] and the white bream in Uruguay, plus the silver seabream and the sargo , though the latter three names are also used for other fish species as well. [2] [3]

Contents

Taxonomy and naming

The silver porgy was originally described in 1830 by the French zoologist Achille Valenciennes as Sargus argenteus, but it was later moved from the genus Sargus into Diplodus. [4] [5] Another binomial name, Sparus sargo, was erected by Dámaso Antonio Larrañaga in 1923 to describe fishes that are now considered to be silver porgies as well, meaning that Sparus sargo is considered a junior synonym for D. argenteus. [6] [4]

Etymology

The genus name, Diplodus, means "double toothed", a description which was not well-explained, but may have been done in reference to the species' two types of teeth: incisor-like and molar-like, or to the double incisor-like tooth shape common to this genus. [7] The species name argenteus comes from the Latin word for silver, a reference to the fish's coloration. [7]

Description

As its name suggests, this D. argenteus' silvery coloration (often with a yellowish tint on the scales and fins) is a significant characteristic of its appearance. [8] In addition to its main coloring, there are nine dark, narrow bars that can be faintly visible on the anterior portion of its body (especially in younger individuals, as they fade with age), there is also a large, black blotch on the caudal peduncle, and the opercular membrane is also very dark in color. [8] [2] [9] [10] The silver porgy's dorsal fin is made up of 12 spines, and 13–15 soft rays; it's anal fin is consists of only 3 spines, but 12–14 soft rays. [9] Mature silver porgies achieve about 20–23 cm (7.9–9.1 in) in length, while the maximum known length for this species is 37.8 cm (1.24 ft) in length. [11]

Distribution and habitat

The silver porgy is known primarily from the western Atlantic Ocean, where it can be found in the waters of southern Florida as well as the Antilles and Bahamas. [9] Along the coast of South America, it is known from coasts of Colombia and Venezuela to Argentina – as far south as the coast of northern Patagonia. [9] [12] [13] They are also found in the Bay of Campeche, which is part of the Gulf of Mexico. [1]

Seagrass beds such as this one in the Caribbean Sea often inhabited by subadult silver porgies. Thalassia testudinum (turtle grass) (South Pigeon Creek estuary, San Salvador Island, Bahamas) 3 (15859724719).jpg
Seagrass beds such as this one in the Caribbean Sea often inhabited by subadult silver porgies.

Adult silver porgies usually inhabit clear but turbulent waters over rocky or coral bottoms, especially on unsheltered coasts that are heavily affected by surf. [8] [15] Juveniles, on the other hand, can be found in much shallower water, such as in pools between rocks, though mid-sized individuals up to 10 cm (3.9 in) can be also found in beds of seagrass from the genus Thalassia. [14]

Biology

Silver porgies eat mostly shellfish especially crustaceans and mollusks, however the remains of algae and polychaete worms have also been found in the stomachs of specimens collected from the Brazilian coast. [16] [17] Variation in diet does occur as the fish grows, mostly in relation to mouth size, as different prey species can only be consumed by individuals large enough to catch them. [16]

Relationship with humans

The silver porgy is fished commercially, but only traded locally. [1] Able to be caught via angling or through trapping, it makes up a major portion of the catch in the Cabo Frio region of Brazil, but is generally caught incidentally, and is even reported rare from fisheries in other parts of its range such as Cuba. [1] Catches are generally very small and come from Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay, though fishing for this species off the United States East Coast and Brazil once dominated the silver porgy catch for most of the late-20th century. [18]

Because of its habitat and distribution, this species is often encountered by recreational SCUBA divers and snorklers. [19] Despite its fairly high probability of being encountered in certain ecosystems, the silver porgy seldom approaches divers and generally moves away from them when approached. [19]

Related Research Articles

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

Sparidae is a family of ray-finned fishes belonging to the order Spariformes, the seabreams and porgies, although they were traditionally classified in the order Perciformes. They are found in shallow temperate and tropical waters around the world and are demersal carnivores.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red porgy</span> Species of fish

The red porgy, also known as the common seabream or Couch's bream, is a species of marine ray-finned fish in the family Sparidae. It is found in shallow waters on either side of the Atlantic Ocean, being present on the western coast of Europe and the Mediterranean Sea as well as the eastern coasts of North and South America and the Caribbean Sea. It feeds on or near the seabed and most individuals start life as females and later change sex to males.

<i>Pagrus</i> Genus of fishes

Pagrus is a genus of marine ray-finned fishes belonging to the family Sparidae, which includes the seabreams and porgies. These fishes are found in the Western Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. They are esteemed food fishes which are targeted by commercial fisheries and are grown in aquaculture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arcachon Bay</span> Delta and basin in France

Arcachon Basin or alternatively Arcachon Bay is a bay of the Atlantic Ocean on the southwest coast of France, situated in Pays de Buch between the Côte d'Argent and the Côte des Landes, in the region of Aquitaine. The bay covers an area of 150 square kilometres (60 sq mi) at high tide and 40 km2 (15 sq mi) at low tide. Some of its geological features are natural preservation areas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spottail pinfish</span> Species of fish

The spottail pinfish is an ocean-going species of fish in the family Sparidae. It is also known as the spottail seabream or spottail pinkish porgy. Along with other members of their family, spottail pinfish are occasionally eaten and considered by some to be a panfish.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jolthead porgy</span> Species of fish

The jolthead porgy is an ocean-going species of fish in the family Sparidae. In Bermuda, it is known as the blue bone porgy, in the United States, it is also known by the Spanish name bojanado, in Jamaica, it is one of the species known by the name, porgi grunt.

<i>Diplodus sargus</i> Species of fish

Diplodus sargus, the sargo, common white seabream, or white seabream is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sparidae, which includes the seabreams and porgies. This fish is found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean and in the Mediterranean Sea. It is a target species for commercial fisheries and is grown in aquaculture. D. sargussensu lato was formerly thought to be a widespread species in the eastern Atlantic and western Indian Oceans but the taxa outside of D, sargussensu stricto are now recognised as valid species and are part of the D. sargus species complex.

<i>Diplodus</i> Genus of fishes

Diplodus is a genus of marine ray-finned fish belonging the family Sparidae, which includes the seabreams and porgies. These fishes are found in the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea and the western Indian Ocean.

<i>Archosargus</i> Genus of fishes

Archosargus is a genus of marine ray-finned fishes belonging to the family Sparidae, the sea breams and porgies. These fishes occur in the Western Atlantic and Eastern Pacific Oceans.

<i>Diplodus vulgaris</i> Species of fish

Diplodus vulgaris, the common two-banded sea bream, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sparidae, which includes the seabreams and porgies. This species is found in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean. It is an important species for fisheries and is grown in aquaculture.

<i>Rhabdosargus sarba</i> Species of fish

Rhabdosargus sarba, also known as the goldlined seabream, silver bream, tarwhine, or yellowfin bream, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sparidae, which includes the seabreams and porgies. This fish has a wide Indo-Pacific distribution.

<i>Acanthopagrus</i> Genus of fishes

Acanthopagrus is a genus of marine ray-finned fishes belonging to the family Sparidae, the sea breams and porgies. The fish in this genus are found in the Indian and western Pacific Oceans.

<i>Rhabdosargus</i> Genus of fishes

Rhabdosargus is a genus of ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sparidae, which includes the seabreams and porgies. These fishes are found in the southeastern Atlantic Ocean and throughout the Indo-West Pacific, although mainly in the western Indian Ocean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Banded seabream</span> Species of fish

The banded seabream is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sparidae, which includes the seabreams and porgies. This species is endemic to Cape Verde in the eastern Atlantic Ocean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Helena white seabream</span> Species of fish

The St. Helena white seabream is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sparidae, which includes the seabreams and porgies. This fish is endemic to the island of Saint Helena in the southern Atlantic.

<i>Diplodus hottentotus</i> Species of fish

Diplodus hottentotus, the zebra, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sparidae, which includes the seabreams and porgies. This fish is found in the Western Indian Ocean off Southern Africa.

<i>Diplodus capensis</i> Species of fish

Diplodus capensis, the Cape white seabream or blacktail seabream, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sparidae, which includes the seabreams and porgies. This fish is found around the coasts of Southern Africa.

<i>Rhabdosargus globiceps</i> Species of fish

Rhabdosargus globiceps, the white stumpnose or go-home fish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sparidae, which includes the seabreams and porgies. This fish is endemic to the waters off Southern Africa.

<i>Rhabdosargus haffara</i> Species of fish

Rhabdosargus haffara, the haffara seabream or Haffara stumpnose, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sparidae, which includes the seabreams and porgies. This fish is found in the northwestern Indian Ocean.

Rhabdosargus niger, the blackish stumpnose, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sparidae, which includes the seabreams and porgies. This fish is known only from the western coast of Kalimantan in Indonesia.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Carpenter, K.E.; Russell, B. (2014). "Diplodus argenteus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2014: e.T170154A1283454. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-3.RLTS.T170154A1283454.en . Retrieved 5 October 2024.
  2. 1 2 Chute, W. 1953. Guide to the John G. Shedd Aquarium. 4th edition, 4th printing. Pg. 114–115
  3. Nión, H., C. Ríos and P. Meneses, 2002. Peces del Uruguay: Lista sistemática y nombres comunes. Montevideo, DINARA, Infopesca.
  4. 1 2 Fricke, Ronald; Golani, Daniel & Appelbaum-Golani, Brenda (2016). "Diplodus levantinus (Teleostei: Sparidae), a new species of sea bream from the southeastern Mediterranean Sea of Israel, with a checklist and a key to the species of the Diplodus sargus species group". Scientia Marina. 80 (3): 305–320. doi: 10.3989/scimar.04414.22B .
  5. Cuvier, G. and A. Valenciennes 1830 (Sept.) Histoire naturelle des poissons. Tome Sixième. Livre sixième. Partie I. Des Sparoïdes; Partie II. Des Ménides. v. 6: i–xxiv + 6 pp. + 1–559, Pls. 141–169. [Valenciennes is author of pp. 1–425, 493–559; Cuvier 426–491. i–xviii + 1–470 in Strasbourg ed.]
  6. Larrañaga, D. A. 1923 Escritos de Don Dámaso Antonio Larrañaga. Los Publica el Instituto Histórico y Geográphico del Uruguay. Edición Nacional. v. 2: 1–512 [Atlas published in 1930. See also Devincenzi 1925
  7. 1 2 "Order Spariformes: Families Lethrinidae, Nemipteridae and Sparidae". The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database. Christopher Scharpf. 22 December 2023. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  8. 1 2 3 Wells, V. Carpenter, C. 2011. A Field Guide to Coastal Fishes from Maine to Texas. Baltimore. Johns Hopkins University Press.
  9. 1 2 3 4 Smith, C.L., 1997. National Audubon Society field guide to tropical marine fishes of the Caribbean, the Gulf of Mexico, Florida, the Bahamas, and Bermuda. Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., New York. 720 p.
  10. Randall, J.E., 1996. Caribbean reef fishes. Third Edition – revised and enlarged. T.F.H. Publications, Inc. Ltd., Hong Kong. 3nd ed. 368 p.
  11. David, G.S.; Coutinho, R.; Quagio-Grassiotto, I. & Verani, J.R. (2005). "The reproductive biology of Diplodus argenteus (Sparidae) in the coastal upwelling system of Cabo Frio, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil". African Journal of Marine Science. 27 (2): 439–447. Bibcode:2005AfJMS..27..439D. doi:10.2989/18142320509504102.
  12. Galvan, D. E.; Venerus, L. A.; Irigoyen, A. J.; Parma, A. M. & Gosztonyi, A. E. (2005). "Extension of the distributional range of the silver porgy, Diplodus argenteus (Valenciennes 1830), and the red porgy, Pagrus pagrus (Linnaeus 1758) (Sparidae) in northern Patagonia, south-western Atlantic". Journal of Applied Ichthyology. 21 (5): 444–447. Bibcode:2005JApIc..21..444G. doi:10.1111/j.1439-0426.2005.00621.x.
  13. Randall, J.E. and R. Vergara, 1978. Sparidae. In W. Fischer (ed.) FAO species identification sheets for fishery purposes. Western Central Atlantic (Fishing Area 31). FAO, Rome. Vol. 5. pag.var.
  14. 1 2 Cervigón, F., 1993. Los peces marinos de Venezuela. Volume 2. Fundación Científica Los Roques, Caracas,Venezuela. 497 p.
  15. Robins, C.R. and G.C. Ray, 1986. A field guide to Atlantic coast fishes of North America. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, U.S.A. 354 p.
  16. 1 2 Dubiaski-Silva, J. & Masunari, S. (2006). "Ontogenetic and seasonal variation in the diet of marimbá, Diplodus argenteus (Valenciennes, 1830) (Pisces, Sparidae) associated with the beds of Sargassum cymosum C. Agardh, 1820 (Phaeophyta) at Ponta das Garoupas, Bombinhas, Santa Catarina". Journal of Coastal Research: 1190–1192. JSTOR   25741773.
  17. Marques, Simone & Barreiros, João P. (2015). "Opportunistic feeding behavior of Diplodus argenteus (Perciformes, Sparidae): human-fish interaction in two rocky reefs from SE and S Brazil" (PDF). Pan-American Journal of Aquatic Sciences. 10 (1): 80–83. hdl:10400.3/3450.
  18. "Global catches of South American silver porgy (Diplodus argenteus argenteus) by EEZ". www.seaaroundus.org. Sea Around Us. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  19. 1 2 Humann, Paul & Deloach, Ned (2006). Reef Fish Identification Florida Caribbean Bahamas. New World Publications Inc. ISBN   1-878348-30-2.