Chlorurus spilurus
| Chlorurus spilurus | |
|---|---|
_(49252340073)_1.jpg)
| |
| File:Chlorurus spilurus , Queensland, Australia imported from iNaturalist photo 160210598.jpg | |
| Male (top) and female (bottom) | |
| Scientific classification Edit this classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Labriformes |
| Family: | Labridae |
| Genus: | Chlorurus |
| Species: | C. spilurus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Chlorurus spilurus (Valenciennes, 1840)
| |
| Synonyms[2] | |
|
Scarus spilurus Valenciennes, 1840 | |
Chlorurus spilurus, known commonly as the Pacific daisy parrotfish or Pacific bullethead parrotfish and in Hawaiian called uhu, is a species of marine fish in the family Scaridae.[3] The Pacific daisy parrotfish is widespread throughout the tropical waters of the Pacific.
Taxonomy
[edit | edit source]Chlorurus spilurus was once synonymized with Chlorurus sordidus, but recent study indicates that C. spilurus is distinct from Forsskal's species.[4][5] This species has hybridized with Chlorurus perspicillatus.[6]
Distribution
[edit | edit source]Chlorurus spilurus can be found in the Western and Central Pacific, from Indonesia to Hawaii and Pitcairn Island.[3]
Description
[edit | edit source]
The initial phase fish, which can be female or male, have a white beak, an overall dark reddish coloration with a white caudal peduncle and fin with a black patch.[3] There is great variation in the coloration among the terminal males of this species. Their body is greenish with big scales outlined with purple-blue lines, three purple-blue stripes around the mouth, and an orange and a white patch on the cheek.[3]
Habitat
[edit | edit source]These parrotfish are found in diverse coral reefs and lagoons.
Diet
[edit | edit source]These parrotfish have strong beaks that are designed to easily break off chunks of coral to feed on coral polyps and algae growing on the coral.[7][3]
Cultural significance
[edit | edit source]The pacific bullethead parrotfish was, and still is a favorite amongst fishermen for meals. They were usually eaten raw, but also were boiled on occasion. The Uhu also has a prominent space in Hawaiian culture and folklore, particularly in the story of Puniakaia, where a supernatural parrotfish is said to be the parent of all fish species. In the end, two heroes named Kawelo and Makuakeke killed the fish named Uhumaka'ika'i.[7]
References
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- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ a b c d e Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Randall, J.E., 2007. Reef and shore fishes of the Hawaiian Islands. Sea Grant College Program, University of Hawaiʻi, Honolulu. i-xivb + 1-546.
- ^ Parenti, P. and J.E. Randall, 2011. Checklist of the species of the families Labridae and Scaridae: an update. Smithian Bull. 13:29-44.
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ a b Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
External links
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- Photos of Chlorurus spilurus in the Sealife Collection
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