Orange-lined triggerfish

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Orange-lined triggerfish
Pez ballesta ondulado (Balistapus undulatus), mar Rojo, Egipto, 2023-04-15, DD 45.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Tetraodontiformes
Family: Balistidae
Genus: Balistapus
Tilesius, 1820
Species:
B. undulatus
Binomial name
Balistapus undulatus
(M. Park, 1797)
Synonyms [2]
  • Balistes undulatus Park, 1797
  • Balistes aculeatus minor Forsskål, 1775
  • Balistes minor Forsskål, 1775
  • Balistes lineatus Bloch & Schneider, 1801
  • Balsitapus capistratus Tilesius, 1820
  • Balistes aculeatus viridis Bennett, 1828
  • Balistes sesquilineatus Lay & Bennett, 1839
  • Balistes schmitti Bleeker, 1852
  • Balistes porcatus Gronow, 1854
  • Balistes elioti Day, 1889
  • Balistes theresae Curtiss, 1938
On the Great Barrier Reef Balistapus undulatus.jpg
On the Great Barrier Reef

The orange-lined triggerfish (Balistapus undulatus), also known as the orangestripe triggerfish, red-lined triggerfish, striped triggerfish or vermiculated triggerfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Balistidae, the triggerfishes. This species is the only species in the monospecific genus Balistapus, which is closely related to the genus Balistoides , if that genus is reclassified as a monospecific genus with the clown triggerfish as its only species. The orange-lined triggerfish has a wide Indo-Pacific range.

Contents

Taxonomy

The orange-lined triggerfish was first described as Balistes aculeatus minor in 1775 by the Swedish explorer, naturalist and orientalist Peter Forsskål but this name was never in common usage and it has been recommended that an application be made to the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature to have this name suppressed under Article 23.2 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. The name in widespread and common usage which should be preserved under Article 23.2 is Balistes undulatus, a name given to this taxon by the Scottish explorer Mungo Park in 1797. [3] Park gave the type locality of B. undulatus as Bengkulu Province in Sumatra, Indonesia. [2] In 1820 Wilhelm Gottlieb Tilesius von Tilenau described Balistapus capitratus, classifying it a new monospecific genus, Balistapus. Tilesius's B. capistratus is now considered to be a synonym of Park's Balistes undulatus. [4] The orange-lined triggerfish has tentatively been found to be closely related to Balistoides conspicillum , with the genus Balistoides being found to be polyphyletic. [5] The genus Balistapus belongs to the family Balistidae which is classified within the suborder Balistoidei. [6]

Etymology

The orange-lined triggerfish is the only member of the monotypic genus Balistapus, a name which suffixes -a, meaning "without" and pus, which means "foot" onto Balistes , as Park described it as being without pelvic fins, but like all triggerfishes, the pelvic fins are hidden in the skin and joied together to form a spine ending in very short rays, but in this taxon reduced to a bump on the ventral surface. The specific name, undulatus, refers to the wavy orange lines, which Park described as red, on the body of this fish. [7]

Description

The orange-lined triggerfish has a dark brown to dark green body with orange lines that start behind the head and cover the rest of its body. [8] Their maximum body size is about 30 centimeters. [8] Its body has a stocky appearance, oval shape, and is compressed laterally. [9] The head is large and is about one third of the body length. [9] The mouth is small and terminal and it has strong teeth. [9]

The first dorsal fin has three spines, one of which is longer and stronger than the other. [9] It is erectile and kept in a dorsal furrow at rest. [9] The second dorsal fin is similar in shape and size to the anal fin, which is symmetrically opposed to it. [9] The pelvic fin is reduced to a ventral protrusion. [9] They also typically have a large block spot by their peduncular spines, and the caudal fin is orange. [8] [10]

In general, males tend to be larger and lack a concave snout, and also lose the lines on his snout as he matures. [10] Females and juveniles are smaller and have a concave snout. [11]

Distribution and habitat

While other balistoid fishes, such as the filefish and leatherjacks, are typically found all across the Indo-western Pacific, the triggerfish are typically found in coral reefs ecosystems, coral lagoons, and external reef slopes within this area, as well off the coast of East Africa, the Red Sea, and Japan. [12] [13] [10] They tend to stay around their burrows and dens within the reef. [14] Within coral reefs, the orange-lined triggerfish are more versatile than other triggerfish species and can be found at depths up to 50 meters, although studies have found that they prefer depths of 2 to 8 meters. [15] [10] No relationship between the area of the reef and depth has been found in juveniles, and adults were found to vary their depth based on the region; in general, the species was found to have a broad distribution across the reef. [15] There is also a difference between the types of substrata that the adults and juvenile orange-lined triggerfish prefer: the adults were found to prefer rock and branching coral, while the juvenile fish were found to prefer softer surfaces. [15]

Ecological role and feeding

Orange-lined triggerfish feeding on a coral reef Orange-lined Triggerfish2.jpg
Orange-lined triggerfish feeding on a coral reef

The orange-lined triggerfish is an omnivorous feeder that can, because of its strong and heavy teeth, tackle a variety of benthic prey. [14] Observed food items include cnidarians, molluscs, ctenophores, crustaceans, other fish, algae, and echinoderms. [10] [14] This species in particular, given its broad diet and distribution, is a crucial component in coral reef ecosystems through top-down control and especially through consumption of sea-urchins. The orange-lined triggerfish is a main and dominant predator of the burrowing urchin ( Echinometra mathaei ) in East African marine parks. [16] Before being protected, the population was overfished, which allowed the burrowing sea urchin population to grow rapidly. [16] In these ecosystems, the burrowing sea urchin affects coral reef health, the presence of other grazers and algae, and erosion. [16] With all three of these influences intertwined, the burrowing sea urchin has the ability to degrade coral reef ecosystems if they are not being controlled by predators, such as the orange-lined triggerfish. [16] When compared to other predators of the burrowing sea urchin in the East African marine parks, the orange-lined triggerfish was found to consume more burrowing sea urchins than others, which exemplifies this species' influence on coral reef ecosystems. [16]

Behaviour

The orange-lined triggerfish prefers parts of the reefs where there are a lot of places to hide, they are able to slide sideways into crevices to hide. They are typically encountered as solitary fishes but off Okinawa the males may hold territories which overlap the territories of three females. The territories are defended agauinst intruding congeners. They are typically shy and hide when approached, rarely going far from a hiding place and they are able to fit into quite tight spaces, although sometimes they will sit just beside their hiding plave and observe divers. The male and female mate as a pair, the eggs are laid on the substrate for the male to fertilise. The female then guards the eggs from predators. These triggersgishes have a varied diet consisting of algae, sponges, crustaceans, molluscs, algae, sea urchins, tunicates, worms, fish eggs and detritus. [17]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Triggerfish</span> Family of ray-finned fishes

Triggerfish are about 40 species of often brightly colored marine rey-finned fishes belonging to the family Balistidae. Often marked by lines and spots, they inhabit tropical and subtropical oceans throughout the world, with the greatest species richness in the Indo-Pacific. Most are found in relatively shallow, coastal habitats, especially at coral reefs, but a few, such as the oceanic triggerfish, are pelagic. While several species from this family are popular in the marine aquarium trade, they are often notoriously ill-tempered.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clown triggerfish</span> Species of fish

The clown triggerfish, also known as the bigspotted triggerfish, is a demersal marine fish belonging to the family Balistidae, or commonly called triggerfish.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Redtoothed triggerfish</span> Species of fish

The redtoothed triggerfish is a triggerfish of the tropical Indo-Pacific area, and the sole member of its genus. Some other common names include blue triggerfish, redfang triggerfish, redtoothed filefish, and Niger triggerfish.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lagoon triggerfish</span> A triggerfish found on reefs in the Indo-Pacific region.

The lagoon triggerfish, also known as the blackbar triggerfish, the Picasso triggerfish, or the Picassofish, is a triggerfish, up to 30 cm in length, found on reefs in the Indo-Pacific region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Titan triggerfish</span> Species of fish

The titan triggerfish, giant triggerfish or moustache triggerfish is a large species of triggerfish found in lagoons and at reefs to depths of 50 m (160 ft) in most of the Indo-Pacific, though it is absent from Hawaii. With a length of up to 75 centimetres (30 in), it is the largest species of triggerfish in its range.

<i>Abalistes</i> Genus of fishes

Abalistes is a small genus of marine ray-finned fishes belonging to the family Balistidae, the triggerfishes. These triggerfishes are found in the Indo-Pacific and eastern Atlantic. This genus contains two recognised species.

<i>Abalistes stellatus</i> Species of fish

Abalistes stellatus, the starry triggerfish or flat-tailed triggerfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Balistidae, the triggerfishes. This triggerfish has a wide Indo-Pacific distribution.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grey triggerfish</span> Species of fish

The grey triggerfish, or gray triggerfish, is a species of ray-finned fish in the triggerfish family. The species is native to shallow parts of the western Atlantic from Nova Scotia to Argentina and also the eastern Atlantic, the Mediterranean Sea and off Angola on the west coast of Africa.

Algae eater or algivore is a common name for any bottom-dwelling or filter-feeding aquatic animal species that specialize in feeding on algae and phytoplanktons. Algae eaters are important for the fishkeeping hobby and many are commonly kept by aquarium hobbyists to improve water quality. They are also important primary consumers that relay the biomass and energy from photosynthetic autotrophes up into the food web, as well as protecting the aquatic ecosystem against algae blooms.

<i>Rhinecanthus assasi</i> Species of fish

Rhinecanthus assasi, commonly known as the Assasi triggerfish or Arabian picassofish, is a species of fish in the family Balistidae, the triggerfishes.

<i>Balistes</i> Genus of fishes

Balistes is a genus of marine ray-finned fishes belonging to the family Balistidae, the triggerfishes. The triggerfishes in this genus are found in the Atlantic and eastern Pacific Ocean.

<i>Balistes vetula</i> Species of fish

Balistes vetula, the queen triggerfish or old wife, is a reef dwelling triggerfish found in the Atlantic Ocean. It is occasionally caught as a gamefish, and sometimes kept in very large marine aquaria.

<i>Cantherhines dumerilii</i> Species of fish

Cantherhines dumerilii is a species of fish in the family Monacanthidae, the filefishes. Its common names include whitespotted filefish, barred filefish, orange-fin file, and yelloweye leatherjacket. It is distributed in the Indian and Pacific Oceans where it is found on coral reefs.

<i>Sufflamen bursa</i> Species of fish

Sufflamen bursa, sometimes known as Lei Triggerfish, bursa triggerfish, scythe triggerfish or boomerang triggerfish, is a triggerfish from the Indo-Pacific. Its name is derived from the two markings behind its eyes that wrap around the fish similar to a Hawaiian Lei. The color of these markings changes depending on the fish's mood, in which case the colors may alter from yellow, dark brown, and black. It is a species of reef fish found in reef ecosystems in the Indo-Pacific, including Japan, Australia, and Hawaii. It occasionally makes its way into the aquarium trade.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coral reef fish</span> Fish which live amongst or in close relation to coral reefs

Coral reef fish are fish which live amongst or in close relation to coral reefs. Coral reefs form complex ecosystems with tremendous biodiversity. Among the myriad inhabitants, the fish stand out as colourful and interesting to watch. Hundreds of species can exist in a small area of a healthy reef, many of them hidden or well camouflaged. Reef fish have developed many ingenious specialisations adapted to survival on the reefs.

<i>Echinometra viridis</i> Species of sea urchin

Echinometra viridis, the reef urchin, is a species of sea urchin in the family Echinometridae. It is found on reefs in very shallow parts of the western Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.

<i>Canthidermis maculata</i> Species of fish

Canthidermis maculata, also known as rough triggerfish or spotted oceanic triggerfish, is a species of triggerfish native to the tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide. Unlike most triggerfish, they are mostly pelagic.

<i>Abalistes filamentosus</i> Species of fish

Abalistes filamentosus, the hairfin triggerfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Balistidae, the triggerfishes. It is found in the Indo-Pacific Ocean and in subtropical waters. It lives in the Pelagic-Neritic zone of the ocean between 61–180 meters deep. It is harmless to humans.

Rhinecanthus lunula, commonly known as the halfmoon picassofish, is a species of balistid triggerfish first described by John E. Randall and Roger C. Steene in 1983. It belongs to the Indo-Pacific triggerfish genus Rhinecanthus.

<i>Canthidermis sufflamen</i> Species of triggerfish

Canthidermis sufflamen, the ocean triggerfish, is a species of pelagic triggerfish that can be found throughout the western Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, with its range extending as far north as Massachusetts and as far south as Brazil.

References

  1. ↑ Matsuura, K. (2022). "Balistapus undulatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2022: e.T193728A2267582. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-2.RLTS.T193728A2267582.en . Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  2. 1 2 Eschmeyer, William N.; Fricke, Ron & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Species in the genus Balistapus". Catalog of Fishes . California Academy of Sciences . Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  3. ↑ Fricke, Ronald (2008). "Authorship, availability and validity of fish names described by Peter (Pehr) Simon Forsskål and Johann Christian Fabricius in the 'Descriptiones animalium' by Carsten Niebuhr in 1775 (Pisces)". Stuttgarter Beiträge zur Naturkunde A Neue Serie. 1: 1–76.
  4. ↑ Eschmeyer, William N.; Fricke, Ron & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Genera in the family Balistidae". Catalog of Fishes . California Academy of Sciences . Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  5. ↑ McCord, Charlene L.; Westneat, Mark W. (January 2016). "Phylogenetic relationships and the evolution of BMP4 in triggerfishes and filefishes (Balistoidea)". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution . 94 (Pt A): 397–409. doi: 10.1016/j.ympev.2015.09.014 . PMID   26408967.
  6. ↑ "Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes Classification". Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes. California Academy of Sciences . Retrieved 16 October 2024.
  7. ↑ Christopher Scharpf (21 August 2024). "Order TETRAODONTIFORMES: Families MOLIDAE, BALISTIDAE, MONACANTHIDAE, ARACANIDAE and OSTRACIIDAE". Christopher Scharpf. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  8. 1 2 3 "FAO Fisheries & Aquaculture - Home". Food and Agriculture Organization . Retrieved 5 April 2019.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Lieske, Edward; Myers, Robert (15 January 2002). Coral Reef Fishes: Caribbean, Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean Including the Red Sea . Princeton Pocket Guides (Revised ed.). Princeton University Press. ISBN   978-0691089959. LCCN   2001086162.[ page needed ]
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Balistapus undulatus". FishBase . June 2024 version.
  11. ↑ Matsuura, Keiichi (30 December 1976). "Sexual Dimorphism in a Triggerfish, Balistapus undulatus". Japanese Journal of Ichthyology. 23 (3): 171–174. doi: 10.11369/jji1950.23.171 . Archived from the original on 23 October 2019.
  12. ↑ Santini, Francesco; Sorenson, Laurie; Alfaro, Michael E. (October 2013). "A new multi-locus timescale reveals the evolutionary basis of diversity patterns in triggerfishes and filefishes (Balistidae, Monacanthidae; Tetraodontiformes)". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution . 69 (1): 165–176. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2013.05.015. PMID   23727054.
  13. ↑ Raick, Xavier; Lecchini, David; Kéver, Loïc; Colleye, Orphal; Bertucci, Frédéric; Parmentier, Éric (10 January 2018). "Sound production mechanism in triggerfish (Balistidae): a synapomorphy" (PDF). The Journal of Experimental Biology . 221 (1): jeb168948. doi: 10.1242/jeb.168948 . PMID   29170259. Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 April 2019.
  14. 1 2 3 Hiatt, Robert W.; Strasburg, Donald W. (January 1960). "Ecological Relationships of the Fish Fauna on Coral Reefs of the Marshall Islands". Ecological Monographs . 30 (1): 65–127. doi:10.2307/1942181. JSTOR   1942181.
  15. 1 2 3 Bean, Kyi; Jones, Geoffrey P.; Caley, M. Julian (2002). "Relationships among distribution, abundance and microhabitat specialisation in a guild of coral reef triggerfish (family Balistidae)" (PDF). Marine Ecology Progress Series . 233: 263–272. Bibcode:2002MEPS..233..263B. doi: 10.3354/meps233263 . Archived (PDF) from the original on 11 December 2012.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 McClanahan, T.R (July 2000). "Recovery of a coral reef keystone predator, Balistapus undulatus, in East African marine parks" (PDF). Biological Conservation . 94 (2): 191–198. doi:10.1016/S0006-3207(99)00176-7. Archived (PDF) from the original on 23 October 2019.
  17. ↑ Alan Sutton (4 May 2018). "Orangelined Triggerfish – Facts and Photographs". Seaunseen.
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