Lactophrys trigonus,thebuffalo trunkfishortrunkfish,is a species ofmarineray-finned fishbelonging to thefamilyOstraciidae,the boxfishes. The buffalo trunkfish is found in the Western Atlantic Ocean.
| Lactophrys trigonus | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Tetraodontiformes |
| Suborder: | Ostracioidea |
| Family: | Ostraciidae |
| Genus: | Lactophrys |
| Species: | L. trigonus
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| Binomial name | |
| Lactophrys trigonus | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
Taxonomy
editLactophrys trigonuswas first formallydescribedasOstracion trigonusin 1758 byCarl Linnaeusin the10th edition of Systema Naturaewith itstype localitygiven as the Western Atlantic.[3]In 1839William John Swainsonproposed a newsubgenusofOstracionhe calledLactophrysand in 1865Pieter Bleekerdesignated this species,O. trigonusas thetype speciesofLactophrys.[4]The 5th edition ofFishes of the Worldclassifies the genusLactophryswithin the family Ostraciidae in thesuborderOstracioideawithin theorderTetraodontiformes.[5]
Etymology
editLactophrys trigonusis a member of the genusLactophrys,a name which is a compound oflactaria,meaning a "milkcow", andophrys,meaning "eyebrow", a reference to the spines above the eyes resembling the horns of a cow. Some fishes in this family are known as cowfishes. Thespecific name,trigonus,means "three angles", a reference to this fish's triangular body when viewed head on.[6]
Description
editThe trunkfish has small diffuse white spots. Two areas, located on the pectoral region and halfway between gills and posterior end of carapace, contain dark-edged hexagonal plates that together form chain-like markings.[7]It can reach a length of 30–50 cm and weigh up to 3.3 kg.[2]
Distribution and habitat
editThe species is native to the Western Atlantic from Canada to Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean. Records from theMediterraneanstill lack verification. It inhabits areas with coral rubble, seagrass beds and offshore reefs, preferring depths above 50 m (160 ft).[1]
Ecology
editBoxfish arebenthicfeeders and will forage onseagrasses,crustaceans,mollusks,worms,tunicatesand a variety of small benthicinvertebrates.They are a popular food throughout the Caribbean, and a minor species in the aquarium trade.[1]
References
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- ^abcLeis, J.L.; Matsuura, K.; Shao, K.-T.; et al. (2015)."Lactophrys trigonus".IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.2015:e.T193816A2281840.doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T193816A2281840.en.Retrieved5 October2024.
- ^abFroese, Rainer;Pauly, Daniel (eds.)."Lactophrys trigonus".FishBase.June 2024 version.
- ^Eschmeyer, William N.;Fricke, Ron & van der Laan, Richard (eds.)."Species in the genusLactophrys".Catalog of Fishes.California Academy of Sciences.Retrieved5 October2024.
- ^Eschmeyer, William N.;Fricke, Ron & van der Laan, Richard (eds.)."Genera in the family Ostraciidae".Catalog of Fishes.California Academy of Sciences.Retrieved5 October2024.
- ^Nelson, J.S.;Grande, T.C.; Wilson, M.V.H. (2016).Fishes of the World(5th ed.). Hoboken, NJ:John Wiley & Sons.pp. 518–526.doi:10.1002/9781119174844.ISBN978-1-118-34233-6.LCCN2015037522.OCLC951899884.OL25909650M.
- ^Christopher Scharpf (21 August 2024)."Order TETRAODONTIFORMES: Families MOLIDAE, BALISTIDAE, MONACANTHIDAE, ARACANIDAE and OSTRACIIDAE".Christopher Scharpf.Retrieved5 October2024.
- ^Robins, C.R.; G.C. Ray (1986).A field guide to Atlantic coast fishes of North America.Houghton Mifflin Company. p.354.