Mucophagy

Last updated

Mucophagy (literally "mucus feeding") is defined as the act of feeding on mucus of fishes or invertebrates. [1] Also, it may refer to consumption of mucus or dried mucus in primates.

There are mucophagous parasites, such as some types of sea lice that attach themselves to gill segments of fish. [2] In addition, these mucophages may serve as cleaners of other animals, usually fishes. [3]

Another usage of this term is in reference to the feeding organ rich in mucous cells in which water is pumped, feeding particles get entrapped in mucus, and the latter proceeds into the esophagus. [4]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ornate chorus frog</span> Species of amphibian

The ornate chorus frog is a species of chorus frog endemic to the Southeastern United States. Their distribution ranges from North Carolina, east to the very eastern part of Louisiana, and south to northern parts of Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Damselfish</span> Group of fishes

Damselfish are those within the subfamilies Abudefdufinae, Chrominae, Lepidozyginae, Pomacentrinae, and Stegastinae within the family Pomacentridae. Most species within this group are relatively small, with the largest species being about 30cm in length. Most damselfish species exist only in marine environments, but a few inhabit brackish or fresh water. These fish are found globally in tropical, subtropical, and temperate waters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kissing gourami</span> Species of freshwater fish

Kissing gouramis, also known as kissing fish or kissers, are medium-sized tropical freshwater fish comprising the monotypic labyrinth fish family Helostomatidae. These fish originate from Mainland Southeast Asia, the Greater Sundas and nearby smaller islands, but have also been introduced outside their native range. They are regarded as a food fish and they are sometimes farmed. They are used fresh for steaming, baking, broiling, and pan frying. The kissing gourami is a popular aquarium fish.

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

The Atlantic silverside, also known as spearing in the northeastern United States, is a small species of fish that is one of the most abundant fish species present in estuarine habitats along the Atlantic coast of North America. It is a common subject of scientific research because of its sensitivity to environmental changes. According to the IUCN Red List, this species is stable and has no major threats to its populations, so it is marked Least Concern. Despite being an extremely common species, most individuals die after one year once they migrate offshore, but a few will make it to two years. The fish is mostly translucent, with white coloring on the anterior end of the body and brown speckling on the top of the head, posterior scales on the back, and near the jaw. A distinctive silver band runs the length of the fish, next to the lateral line. Their mouths are large compared to other Menidia species, and their first dorsal fin are placed more posteriorly than other silversides.

The black ruff is a medusafish, the only member of the genus Centrolophus. It is a pelagic fish found in all tropical and temperate oceans at depths of 0 to 1,000 m. Its length is typically up to 60 cm (24 in), but it may reach 150 cm (60 in). Other common names include rudderfish and blackfish.

The Bayou darter is a rare species of freshwater ray-finned fish, a darter from the subfamily Etheostomatinae, part of the family Percidae, which also contains the perches, ruffes and pikeperches. It is endemic to western Mississippi in the United States, where it is found only in Bayou Pierre and its tributaries. Its typical habitat is fast-flowing creeks and streams, in riffles and in areas between riffles with firm gravel bottoms. It feeds on small insects and their larvae. Breeding probably takes place twice a year, in spring and late summer. The population of this fish is declining due to loss of suitable habitat. This is caused by siltation and pollution, particularly erosion caused by changes in land use. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed its conservation status as being "endangered".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Loggerhead musk turtle</span> Species of turtle

The loggerhead musk turtle is a species of turtle in the family Kinosternidae. This turtle has a large head which has a light-colored background with dark spots or stripes present on the head and neck. The average size of an adult loggerhead musk turtle is about 3–5 in (7.6–12.7 cm) in straight carapace length.

Lisserpeton is an extinct genus of prehistoric salamander of the Hell Creek Formation. Its closest living relatives are the mole salamanders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caudal luring</span> Form of aggressive mimicry where the predator attracts prey using its tail

Caudal luring is a form of aggressive mimicry characterized by the waving or wriggling of the predator's tail to attract prey. This movement attracts small animals who mistake the tail for a small worm or other small animal. When the animal approaches to prey on the worm-like tail, the predator will strike. This behavior has been recorded in snakes, sharks, and eels.

<i>Gasterosteus</i> Genus of fishes

Gasterosteus is a genus of ray-finned fishes belonging to the family Gasterosteidae, the sticklebacks. These fishes are found in freshwater, brackish water and marine habitats in the Holarctic region.

The plains minnow is one of the 324 fish species found in central United States. It is a large minnow that was once a common bait fish. The plains minnow requires shallow, slow-moving streams to complete its life cycle. Pollution, dams, and introduced sport fish have caused populations to decline.

<i>Gorgasia</i> Genus of fishes

Gorgasia is one of the two genera that belong to the subfamily Heterocongrinae. This genus is classified by the behavioral pattern of burrowing 75% of their bodies in the sandy substrate they live in and protruding their upper body into the water current above, giving the appearance that they are planted into the ground. This protruding behavior serves a multipurpose functionality to their survival.

<i>Betta coccina</i> Species of fish

Betta coccina is a species of betta native to Peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra, Indonesia. It grows to a length of 5.6 cm (2.2 in). It can be found in the aquarium trade. Betta coccina, commonly known as the wine red betta or red fighting fish, is a species of freshwater fish in the family Osphronemidae. It is endemic to the peat swamps of Indonesia and Malaysia, where it inhabits acidic, slow-moving waters. The species is known for its striking red coloration and relatively peaceful temperament compared to other Betta species.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flame chub</span> Species of fish

The flame chub is a species of freshwater fish in the family Cyprinidae found only in the United States. Its range broadly follows the Tennessee River from above Knoxville, Tennessee, to the mouth of the Duck River. Historically the species was found in Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia. The preferred habitat of flame chub is in small flowing streams often associated with springs.

Derilissus is a genus of clingfishes belonging to the family Gobiesocinae found in the western Atlantic Ocean. This family of fish is identified by their appearance as small fish with sucking discs which allow them to attach themselves to various surfaces. Derilissus differs from other genera due to its attached gill membranes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marbled sculpin</span> Species of fish

The marbled sculpin is a species of sculpin found in the Klamath and Pit River drainages in northern California and southern Oregon. Three subspecies have been identified: the upper Klamath marbled sculpin, which occurs in the Klamath River watershed above Klamath Falls; the lower Klamath marbled sculpin, which occurs in the Klamath River watershed downstream of Iron Gate Dam; and the bigeye marbled sculpin, which inhabits the Pit River Watershed. However, genetic analysis performed in 2012 indicated minimal difference between individuals from each of these three regions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Umpqua pikeminnow</span> Species of fish

The Umpqua pikeminnow, formerly called the Umpqua squawfish is a large cyprinid fish endemic to Oregon, and is the smallest species of pikeminnow. It is native to the Umpqua and Siuslaw river drainages.

Ernest Albert Lachner was an American ichthyologist with an international reputation for his research on Indo-Pacific gobies and cardinalfishes.

Erik Bertelsen was a Danish ichthyologist, who specialised in deep sea fish. The fish, Diaphus bertelseniNafpaktitis, 1966 is named in his honour.

Scopelarchus analis, the short fin pearleye or blackbelly pearleye, is a species of ray-finned fish that can be found circumglobal in warm waters. It is a member of the Scopelarchus, a genus of pearleyes.

References

  1. Thresher, Ronald E. (1979). "Possible Mucophagy by Juvenile Holacanthus tricolor (Pisces: Pomacanthidae)". Copeia. 1979 (1): 160–162. doi:10.2307/1443747. ISSN   0045-8511. JSTOR   1443747.
  2. Pathogenesis of Wild and Farmed Seafish Archived 2006-11-16 at the Wayback Machine
  3. Gorlick, Dennis L. (1980). "Ingestion of Host Fish Surface Mucus by the Hawaiian Cleaning Wrasse, Labroides phthirophagus (Labridae), and Its Effect on Host Species Preference". Copeia. 1980 (4): 863–868. doi:10.2307/1444466. ISSN   0045-8511. JSTOR   1444466.
  4. Bauchot, Roland; Ridet, Jean-Marc; Diagne, Monique (1993). "The epibranchial organ, its innervation and its probable functioning in Heterotis niloticus (Pisces, teleostei, osteoglossidae)". Environmental Biology of Fishes. 37 (3): 307–315. Bibcode:1993EnvBF..37..307B. doi:10.1007/BF00004638. S2CID   9644212.