Awaous guamensis

Awaous guamensis is a species of goby native to the Pacific islands from the Marianas to Vanuatu, New Caledonia and Fiji where it can be found in fresh, brackish and marine waters. Recent work based upon morphological and genetic differences has recognized Hawaiian populations of Awaous as being distinct from Awaous guamensis.[2] Consequently, Hawaiian Awaous are now recognized as a distinct species Awaous stamineus.[3][4]

Awaous guamensis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Gobiiformes
Family: Oxudercidae
Genus: Awaous
Species:
A. guamensis
Binomial name
Awaous guamensis
(Valenciennes, 1837)
Synonyms
  • Gobius guamensis Valenciennes, 1837
  • Chonophorus guamensis (Valenciennes, 1837)
  • Gobius crassilabris Günther, 1861
  • Awaous crassilabris (Günther, 1861)

Description

Males can reach a length of 24.5 cm (9.6 in) SL while females only reach 16.5 cm (6.5 in).[5] The body has white streaks with speckles and a dark olive color.[6]

Ecology

The species is found in slow-moving waters especially on Kaua‘i during their annual spawning run to the stream mouth.[7] ‘O‘opu nakea can swim upstream between 10 and 200 feet in strong currents.[8] They are omnivores, and their diet in one study was found to consist of 84% filamentous algae and 16% of chironomids (non-biting midges) and other animal food.[7]

Eggs are laid downstream where the males and females guard the nest. The males make the nest and attract the females who then lay one clutch per year.[9]

Human use

‘O‘opu nakea are eaten cooked; a common way of preparation is by salting them for 12 hours, then wrapping them in ti leaves and placing them on hot coals.[6]

References
  1. Boseto, D. (2012). "Awaous guamensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2012: e.T192948A2180615. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012.RLTS.T192948A2180615.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. Lindstrom, Daniel P.; Blum, Michael J.; Walter, Ryan P.; Gagne, Roderick B.; Gilliam, James F. (2012). "Molecular and morphological evidence of distinct evolutionary lineages of Awaous guamensis in Hawai'i and Guam". Copeia. 2012 (2): 293–300. doi:10.1643/CI-11-027. S2CID 86528981.
  3. Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2014). "Awaous stamineus" in FishBase. November 2014 version.
  4. Eschmeyer, W. N.; R. Fricke & R. van der Laan, eds. (2 July 2018). "Catalog of Fishes". California Academy of Sciences. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  5. Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2014). "Awaous guamensis" in FishBase. November 2014 version.
  6. Titcomb, Margaret; Pukui, Mary Kawena (1951). "Native Use Of Fish In Hawaii". The Journal of the Polynesian Society. 60: 1–146.
  7. Brasher, A. M. (1996). Monitoring the distribution and abundance of native gobies ('o'opu) in Waikolu and Pelekunu Streams on the island of Moloka'i (Report). Cooperative National Park Resources Studies Unit, Department of Zoology, University of California at Davis.
  8. Oki, D.S.; Wolff, R.H.; Perreault, J.A. (2006). Effects of Surface-Water Diversion and Ground-Water Withdrawal on Streamflow and Habitat, Punaluu Stream, Oahu, Hawaii (PDF) (Report). U.S. Geological Survey, Scientific Investigations Report. USGS.
  9. H. T.Harvey and Associates, Honolulu, Hawai‘i (2015). "'O'opu nākea". Hawai'i's State Wildlife Action Plan (PDF). Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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