Platax

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Platax
Temporal range: Eocene–Recent
Platax, Mauritius.jpg
Platax teira
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Acanthuriformes
Family: Ephippidae
Genus: Platax
G. Cuvier, 1816
Type species
Chaetodon teira
Species

See text

Platax is a genus of Indo-Pacific, reef-associated fish belonging to the family Ephippidae. [1] There are currently five known extant species generally accepted to belong to the genus. [2] They are one of the fish taxa commonly known as "batfish".

Contents

Description

Members of the genus Platax are generally similar in shape to the other species in the family. Adults are rather disc-shaped fish, with laterally compressed bodies and large dorsal and anal fins that give individuals a somewhat triangular profile. Platax teira is the largest species, reaching lengths of around 70 centimetres (28 in). [3] The other species reach maximum lengths of around 40–65 cm (16–26 in). [1]

Distribution

Platax can be found in reefs throughout the entire Indo-Pacific region. Their range extends from the western Indian Ocean in the Red Sea to as far east as Australia. Most Platax species can be found in higher latitudes, as high as the Ryukyu Islands in Japan and as far south as the eastern coast of Australia. [4] However, the ranges of the individual species is not consistent throughout the genus' range. Platax pinnatus for example is most likely not found in the Indian Ocean. [1] A few individuals have been found in Atlantic waters. Apparently, the species Platax orbicularis has been observed in Florida waters as a non-native, invasive species. The aquarium industry has been blamed for the spread of this species into the Caribbean. [5]

Members of the genus are most common around reefs and shipwrecks. [4]

Taxonomy

The genus was first used by Cuvier with the publication of his 1816 system of animal classification. He assigned the genus to the batfish species Platax boersii , a classification which still holds to this day. Another species to be assigned to the genus by Cuvier was Platax ocellatus , a butterflyfish that is now more correctly classified in the genus Chaetodon in Chaetodontidae. In the same work, a species that is now known to belong to the genus, Platax teira was classified by Cuvier in a different genus, Chaetodon teira. [6]

A few species have been assigned to the genus that have since been reclassified into other genera. The butterflyfish, C. ocellatus mentioned above is one of these species. Another species that has been mistakenly classified as a Platax is the common freshwater angelfish, Pterophyllum scalare . In a joint effort with Valenciennes, Cuvier published a natural history work in 1831 where the freshwater angelfish was classified as Platax scalaris. [7] The freshwater angelfish, of course is not as closely related to the marine batfish as to warrant classification in the same genus. [8] A more scientifically acceptable mis-classification would be that of the species Zabidius novemaculeatus . This species was first described as Platax novemaculeatus by Mcculloch when it was discovered from Australia in the early 1900s. [9] The species is now classified in the genus Zabidius , which is still in the same family as the genus Platax. [10]

The generic name, "platax" was coined from the Greek term platys - meaning "flat". This refers to the generally compressed body shape of the fish. They are commonly called "batfish". [1] However, they are not the only fish taxon called by this name. Fish from the only distantly related family Ogcocephalidae are also commonly known as "batfish". [11] Other families with species that have been referred to as "batfish" include the families Dactylopteridae, [12] Drepaneidae, [13] Monacanthidae, [14] and Monodactylidae. [15]

Species

There are currently five recognized extant species in this genus: [16]

SpeciesCommon NameAdultJuvenile
Platax batavianus

G. Cuvier, 1831

Humpback batfish Batavia spadefish (Platax batavianus) (41879839450).jpg Platax batavianus - Juvenile Humpback BatFish.jpg
Platax boersii

Bleeker, 1852

Golden spadefish Golden spadefish (Platax boersii) (46722834851).jpg MikadukiTU.jpg
Platax orbicularis

(Forsskål, 1775)

Orbicular batfish Pez murcielago orbicular (Platax orbicularis), mar Rojo, Egipto, 2023-04-19, DD 01.jpg Platax orbicularis juvenil (cropped).jpg
Platax pinnatus

(Linnaeus, 1758)

Dusky batfish Platax pinnatus03.jpg Platax pinnatus (36679875820).jpg
Platax teira

(Forsskål, 1775)

Longfin batfish Platax teira 340437649.jpg Platax teira Prague 2012 3.jpg
+Platax altissimus reconstruction Platax altissimus reconstruction.JPG
Platax altissimus reconstruction

There are also at least four fossil species known: [17]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Butterflyfish</span> Tropical marine fish of the family Chaetodontidae

The butterflyfish are a group of conspicuous tropical marine fish of the family Chaetodontidae; the bannerfish and coralfish are also included in this group. The approximately 129 species in 12 genera are found mostly on the reefs of the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. A number of species pairs occur in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, members of the huge genus Chaetodon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orbicular batfish</span> Species of fish

The orbicular batfish, also known as the cooper batfish, circular batfish, orbiculate batfish, round batfish, narrow-banded batfish or orbic batfish is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Ephippidae, the spadefishes and batfishes. This species is found in the Indo-Pacific but has been recorded outside its native range in the western Atlantic Ocean.

<i>Chaetodon</i> Genus of fishes

Chaetodon is a tropical fish genus in the family Chaetodontidae. Like their relatives, they are known as "butterflyfish". This genus is by far the largest among the Chaetodontidae, with about 90 living species included here, though most might warrant recognition as distinct genera.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Old wife</span> Species of ray-finned fish

Enoplosus armatus, commonly referred to as the old wife, is a species of centrarchiform ray-finned fish endemic to the temperate coastal waters of Australia. It is the only modern species in the family Enoplosidae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lined butterflyfish</span> Species of fish

The lined butterflyfish is a species of marine ray-finned fish. a butterflyfish belonging to the family Chaetodontidae, one of the largest species in the genus Chaetodon. It has a wide range from the Red Sea to South Africa and as far east as southern Japan and Hawaii.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indian vagabond butterflyfish</span> Species of fish

The Indian vagabond butterflyfish, also known as the blackened butterflyfish or black-finned vagabond, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a butterflyfish belonging to the family Chaetodontidae. It is found in the Indo-West Pacific, from the Maldives via India, Sri Lanka and the Andaman Sea to the westernmost portion of the Indonesian archipelago.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saddle butterflyfish</span> Species of fish

The saddle butterflyfish is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a butterflyfish belonging to the family Chaetodontidae. It is found in the Indian and Pacific Oceans from Sri Lanka and the Cocos-Keeling Islands to the Hawaiian, Marquesan and Tuamotu islands, north to southern Japan, south to Rowley Shoals and New South Wales in Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mirror butterflyfish</span> Species of fish

The mirror butterflyfish or oval-spot butterflyfish is a species of butterflyfish. It is found in the Indo-Pacific region from Indonesia to Japan and south to the Great Barrier Reef and Papua New Guinea. The species has also been reported from Madagascar, Mauritius and Réunion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eastern triangle butterflyfish</span> Species of fish

The eastern triangle butterflyfish, also known as the baroness butterflyfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a butterflyfish belonging to the family Chaetodontidae. It is found in the central Indo-West Pacific region from the Cocos-Keeling Islands and Indonesia in the eastern Indian Ocean to Fiji and Tonga, north to southern Japan, south to New Caledonia and New South Wales in Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bluelashed butterflyfish</span> Species of fish

The bluelashed butterflyfish, also known as the eclipse butterflyfish, archer butterflyfish or Bennett's butterflyfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a butterflyfish belonging to the family Chaetodontidae, It is found in the Indo-Pacific.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spotband butterflyfish</span> Species of fish

The spot-banded butterflyfish or spotband butterflyfish is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a butterflyfish belonging to the family Chaetodontidae. It is from the western Pacific Ocean.

<i>Chaetodon mertensii</i> Species of fish

Chaetodon mertensii, the atoll butterflyfish, yellowback butterflyfish or Merten's butterflyfish, is a species of marine ray finned fish, a butterflyfish belonging to the family Chaetodontidae. It is found in the western Pacific Ocean.

<i>Parachaetodon</i> Genus of fishes

Parachaetodon is a monotypic genus of butterflyfishes, the only species being the sixspine butterflyfish, which is also known as the ocellate butterflyfish or eyespot butterflyfish. is a species of butterflyfish native to tropical reefs of the eastern Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean.

<i>Platax pinnatus</i> Species of fish

Platax pinnatus, also known as the longfin batfish, pinnate spadefish, pinnate batfish, pinnatus batfish, dusky batfish, shaded batfish, or red-faced batfish is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Ephippidae, the spadefishes and batfishes. This species is found in the western Pacific Ocean and occasionally is kept in marine aquariums.

<i>Platax teira</i> Species of fish

Platax teira, also known as the teira batfish, longfin batfish, longfin spadefish, or round faced batfish is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Ephippidae, the spadefishes and batfishes. This species is found in the Indo-West Pacific.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mailed butterflyfish</span> Species of fish

The mailed butterflyfish, also known as the reticulated butterflyfish or black butterflyfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a butterflyfish belonging to the family Chaetodontidae, This species is found on reefs in the central and western Pacific Ocean. It can be found in the aquarium trade.

<i>Platax batavianus</i> Species of fish

Platax batavianus, the humpback batfish, Batavian batfish, batfish, humped batfish, hump-headed hatfish, moonfish or zebra batfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish in the family Ephippidae, the spadefishes and batfishes. They are found in coral reefs around the Indo-Pacific region. Adults can grow up to 65 centimetres (26 in) at maximum.

<i>Chaetodon triangulum</i> Species of fish

Chaetodon triangulum, the triangle butterflyfish or herringbone butterflyfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a butterflyfish belonging to the family Chaetodontidae. It is native to the tropical Indian Ocean.

<i>Chaetodon plebeius</i> Species of fish

Chaetodon plebeius, the blueblotch butterflyfish, bluespot butterflyfish, bluedash butterflyfish or grey-blotched butterflyfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a butterflyfish belonging to the family Chaetodontidae. It is native to the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

<i>Platax boersii</i> Species of ray-finned fish

Platax boersii, the golden spadefish or Boers’ batfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Ephippidae, the spadefishes and bay fishes. This species is found in the Indo-West Pacific.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Species in genus Platax". FishBase . January 2009 version.
  2. "Platax Cuvier, 1816". Integrated Taxonomic Information System . Retrieved 14 January 2009.
  3. Randall, J. E. (1995). Coastal fish of Oman. Honolulu, Hawaii: University of Hawaii Press. p. 439.
  4. 1 2 Myers, R. F. (1991). Micronesian reef fish (2nd ed.). Barrigada, Guam: Coral Graphics. p. 298.
  5. Pickrell, John (2004-06-01). "Freed pet fish threaten native species, study says". National Geographic News. National Geographic. Archived from the original on May 28, 2004. Retrieved 2009-01-13.
  6. Cuvier, Georges (1816). Le Règne Animal distribué d'après son organisation pour servir de base à l'histoire naturelle des animaux et d'introduction à l'anatomie comparée. Les reptiles, les poissons, les mollusques et les annélides. Règne Animal (ed. 1) i-xviii (1st ed.). p. 532.
  7. Cuvier, Georges; A. Valenciennes (April 1831). Histoire naturelle des poissons. Tome septième. Livre septième. Des Squamipennes. Livre huitième. Des poissons à pharyngiens labyrinthiformes. Historie naturelle des poissons. Vol. 7: i-xxix. p. 531.
  8. Kullander, S. O. (1986). Cichlid fish of the Amazon River drainage of Peru. Stockholm, Sweden: Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Research Division, Swedish Museum of Natural History. p. 394.
  9. McCulloch, A. R. (1916-10-31). Report on some fish obtained by the F. I. S. "Endeavour" on the coasts of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South and South-Western Australia. Part IV. Biological Results Endeavour. Vol. 4. pp. 169–199.
  10. Allen, Gerard R.; R. Swainston (1988). The marine fish of north-western Australia: a field guide for anglers and divers. Perth, Australia: Western Australian Museum. p. 201.
  11. Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Family Ogcocephalidae". FishBase . January 2009 version.
  12. Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Dactylopterus volitans". FishBase . January 2009 version.
  13. Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Drepane punctata". FishBase . January 2009 version.
  14. Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Aluterus monoceros". FishBase . January 2009 version.
  15. Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Monodactylus argentus". FishBase . January 2009 version.
  16. Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Species in genus Platax". FishBase . April 2013 version.
  17. Paleobiology Database