Torquigener albomaculosus

Torquigener albomaculosus, or the white-spotted pufferfish, is the 20th discovered[1] species of the genus Torquigener. The species was discovered in the ocean waters around the Ryukyu Islands in Japan off the south coast of Amami Ōshima Island.[1] Observed depths of the species range between 10 and 27 m (33 and 89 ft).[1] The fish's head and body are colored brown with white spots at the back.[1] Its abdomen is silvery-white with white spots.[1]

Not to be confused with white-spotted puffer.

Torquigener albomaculosus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Tetraodontiformes
Family: Tetraodontidae
Genus: Torquigener
Species:
T. albomaculosus
Binomial name
Torquigener albomaculosus
Matsuura, 2014

The males are known for creating circular nests as part of their mating ritual in the sand, measuring 2 m (6.6 ft) in diameter.[2] Such nest designs were noticed since 1995, but their creation remained a mystery until the species' discovery.[1] The nests are created to attract mates through the nest's impressive design and ability to gather fine sand particles, both of which influence a female's mate choice.[1][3] Males never reuse a nest.[3] The white-spotted pufferfish was originally thought to be unique among pufferfish in creating these elaborate nests,[1] however in 2018 similar nests were observed off the coast of Western Australia, presumably belonging to a related species of Torquigener.[4]

In 2015, the International Institute for Species Exploration named it as one of the "Top 10 New Species" discovered in 2014.[5][6] They were described by David Attenborough as "the greatest artist of the animal kingdom".

References
  1. "New pufferfish species named". BBC Earth. 9 December 2014.
  2. Matsuura K (2014). "A new pufferfish of the genus Torquigener that builds "mystery circles" on sandy bottoms in the Ryukyu Islands, Japan (Actinopterygii: Tetraodontiformes: Tetraodontidae)". Ichthyological Research. 62 (2): 207–212. doi:10.1007/s10228-014-0428-5. S2CID 254164102.
  3. Kawase, Hiroshi; Okata, Yoji; Ito, Kimiaki (2013). "Role of Huge Geometric Circular Structures in the Reproduction of a Marine Pufferfish". Scientific Reports. 3 (1): 2106. Bibcode:2013NatSR...3E2106K. doi:10.1038/srep02106. ISSN 2045-2322. PMC 3696902. PMID 23811799.
  4. Bond, Todd; Mueller, Robert J.; Birt, Matthew J.; Prince, Jane; Miller, Karen; Partridge, Julian C.; McLean, Dianne L. (2020). "Mystery pufferfish create elaborate circular nests at mesophotic depths in Australia". Journal of Fish Biology. 97 (5): 1401–1407. doi:10.1111/jfb.14506. hdl:10536/DRO/DU:30148257. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  5. "The ESF Top 10 New Species for 2015". State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
  6. Berenson, Tessa (21 May 2015). "These Are the Top 10 New Species Discovered Last Year". Time. Retrieved 13 November 2015.


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