Mola tecta
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| Nyegaard , Sawai , Gemmell , Gillum , Loneragan , Yamanoue & Stewart , 2017 |
Mola tecta (from the Latin "tegere" = to hide) is a large fish species from the family of the sunfish (Molidae). It was only newly described in July 2017. The species is found on the southern and southeastern coasts of Australia (New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria), the coast of South Africa and the coasts of New Zealand . There have also been sightings from the coast of Chile . Perhaps Mola tecta widespread in the moderate seas of the southern hemisphere.
features
Mola tecta has the typical round oval body of all sunfish, with a round head profile and no protruding snout. The specimens of Mola tecta measured so far had body lengths of 50 to 242 cm. In contrast to adult Mola mola , Mola tecta does not develop a forehead hump and also no bloated, rounded chin. The body is widest in the eye region and tapered visibly towards the tail fin edge (pseudocaudale or clavus). The caudal fin edge, which is slightly indented in different places, is divided into a smaller upper and a larger lower section by a clearly pronounced, smooth band. In specimens larger than 65 cm, some of the cartilaginous fin rays of the caudal fin fringe are studded with bones, three above the ligament and four below. In Mola mola there are 8 to 9 fin rays with bones and in Mola alexandrini it is 14 to 24. The skin of Mola tecta is elastic and wrinkled, the density of scales is greatly reduced. The scales are conical with a broad base and a towering, unbranched tip that can vary in size.
Mola tecta is gray to dark gray in color and shows a pattern of whitish spots on the sides of the body.
- Fins formula : dorsal 17–18, anal 16–18, pectoral 11–13, caudal 13–15.
Way of life
Mola tecta probably lives like other sunfish as a pelagic ocean dweller and catches its prey at greater depths. Stomach examinations revealed remains of state jellyfish , Thetys vagina, the largest species of salp, and fire rollers ( Pyrosoma sp.). All of the specimens examined showed severe parasite infestation, especially in the intestines ( tapeworms ) and in the liver. Spawning grounds, eggs, larvae and juvenile stages are still unknown.
literature
- Marianne Nyegaard, Etsuro Sawai, Neil Gemmell, Joanne Gillum, Neil R. Loneragan, Yusuke Yamanoue, Andrew L. Stewart: Hiding in broad daylight: molecular and morphological data reveal a new ocean sunfish species (Tetraodontiformes: Molidae) that has eluded recognition. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, July 2017, DOI: 10.1093 / zoolinnean / zlx040
Web links
- Photo by Mola tecta
- Mola tecta on Fishbase.org (English)
