Labrus Temporal range: | |
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Cuckoo wrasse (L. mixtus) | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Labriformes |
Family: | Labridae |
Genus: | Labrus Linnaeus, 1758 |
Type species | |
Labrus mixtus | |
Synonyms [2] | |
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Labrus is a genus of wrasses native to the eastern Atlantic Ocean into the Mediterranean and Black seas. [3]
Like most wrasses, Labrus species are protogynous, and can undergo sex change from female to male. The form of protogyny differs between species, e.g., Labrus bergylta is monandric (all fish are born female but can develop into males), while Labrus mixtus is diandric (individuals can be born either male or female, and females can develop into males). [4] L. mixtus is sexually dimorphic in colouration, while L. bergylta is not. [5] [4]
The four currently recognized species in this genus are: [3]
Species | Common name | Terminal phase |
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Labrus bergylta Ascanius, 1767 | Ballan wrasse | ![]() |
Labrus merula | brown wrasse | ![]() |
Labrus mixtus | cuckoo wrasse | ![]() |
Labrus viridis | green wrasse | ![]() |
Fossils of Labrus are found from the Eocene to the Quaternary (age range: from 55.8 to 0.781 million years ago.). They are known from various localities of France, Italy and the United Kingdom. [6]