Midshipman fish

A midshipman fish is any species of toadfish belonging to the genus Porichthys (in family Batrachoididae). Historically, there have been two common names. Porichthys refers to the well developed pores on the fish, and this led to the common name "Porous Catfish".[3] The other common name, "Midshipman" is based on the pattern of button-like luminous spots (photophores) which resemble the buttons on the uniforms of young naval officers known as Midshipmen.[4]

Midshipman fish
Temporal range: Late Miocene-Present[1]
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Plainfin midshipman (Porichthys notatus)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Batrachoidiformes
Family: Batrachoididae
Subfamily: Porichthyinae
Genus: Porichthys
Girard 1854
Type species
Porichthys notatus
Girard 1854[2]
Species

See text

Midshipman fish are distinguished by their photophores and four lateral lines. Typical midshipman fishes, such as the plainfin midshipman (Porichthys notatus), are nocturnal and bury themselves in sand or mud in the intertidal zone during the day, to float just above the seabed at night. Some species have venomous dorsal spines and are capable of inflicting serious injuries if handled.[5]

Description

Male midshipman fish have two morphs: type I and type II. Type I and type II males have different reproductive strategies, and can be distinguished from each other based on physical characteristics. Type I males are eight times larger in body mass, and have much larger vocal organs. Type II males’ reproductive organs are seven times larger in size than those of type I males.[6] Female and type II male midshipman fish can be distinguished from each other by the female's slightly larger size, and the type II male midshipman's large reproductive organs.[7]

Species
Photophores on an Atlantic midshipman. Midshipman fish are named after their photophores.
Portrait of Midshipman John Windham Dalling (c. 1800), by George Henry Harlow

Extant species

There are currently 14 recognized extant species in this genus:[8]

Fossil species

Biology
Atlantic midshipman (Porichthys plectrodon)

Reproduction and vocalization
Main article: Reproduction and vocalization in midshipman fish

Mating in midshipman fishes depends on auditory communication. Male midshipman fish produce several different vocalizations while females only make grunts in non-breeding situations.[6]

References
  1. Sepkoski, Jack (2002). "A compendium of fossil marine animal genera". Bulletins of American Paleontology. 364: 560. Archived from the original on 2011-07-23. Retrieved 2008-01-08.
  2. Eschmeyer, William N.; Fricke, Ron & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Porichthys". Catalog of Fishes. California Academy of Sciences. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  3. Cooper, James Graham; Suckley, George; Cooper, William; Gibbs, George; Gray, Asa; LeConte, John L. (1859). The Natural History of Washington Territory. New York: Bailliere Brothers. p. 356.
  4. Jordan, David S.; Bollman, Charles H. (1889). "Scientific results of explorations by steamer Albatross". Proceedings of the United States National Museum. 12: 149–183.
  5. Lopes-Ferreira, Mônica; Ramos, Anderson Daniel; Martins, Itamar Alves; Lima, Carla; Conceição, Katia; Haddad, Vidal (August 2014). "Clinical manifestations and experimental studies on the spine extract of the toadfish Porichthys porosissimus". Toxicon. 86: 28–39. doi:10.1016/j.toxicon.2014.04.014. PMID 24814010.
  6. Brantley, Richard K.; Bass, Andrew H. (26 April 2010). "Alternative Male Spawning Tactics and Acoustic Signals in the Plainfin Midshipman Fish Porichthys notatus Girard (Teleostei, Batrachoididae)". Ethology. 96 (3): 213–232. doi:10.1111/j.1439-0310.1994.tb01011.x.
  7. Lee, Jonathan S. F.; Bass, Andrew H. (July 2006). "Dimorphic male midshipman fish: reduced sexual selection or sexual selection for reduced characters?". Behavioral Ecology. 17 (4): 670–675. doi:10.1093/beheco/ark015.
  8. Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2012). Species of Porichthys in FishBase. April 2012 version.
  9. Onzole Formation at Fossilworks.org
  10. Porichthys pedemontanus at Fossilworks.org
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