Parapterois

Taxobox
name = "Parapterois"


image_width = 250px
image_caption = "Parapterois heterura", blackfoot firefish
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Actinopterygii
ordo = Scorpaeniformes
familia = Scorpaenidae
subfamilia = Pteroinae
genus = "Parapterois"
genus_authority = Bleeker, 1876
binomial = "P. heterura"
binomial_authority = (Bleeker, 1856)
binomial2 = "P. macrura"
binomial2_authority = (Alcock, 1896)

"Parapterois" is a genus of lionfish, a group of venomous fish in the scorpionfish family.FishBase genus | genus = Parapterois | month = Mar | year = 2007] There are two species, "P. heterura" and "P. macrura".ITIS|ID=166954|taxon=Parapterois|year=2007|date=09 Apr] "P. heterura" is occasionally known as the blackfoot lionfish. The other species, "P. macrura", is poorly known; this fish has only been mentioned in a handful of scientific papers and has remained obscure. These fish originate from marine environments in the Indian Ocean or near it. These venomous fish are occasionally seen as aquarium fish.

Taxonomy

Currently, the genus "Parapterois" includes two valid species. "P. heterura" was first described by Bleeker as "Pterois heterurus" in 1856, but he subsequently erected the genus "Parapterois" in 1876, designating "P. heterurus" as the type species. Eventually, the name was changed to "P. heterura" due to "Parapterois" being feminine.FishBase species|genus=Parapterois|species=heterura|year=2007|month=Apr] "P. macrura" was also initially described by Alcock as a "Pterois" species, but it was later moved to "Parapterois".

"P. heterura" has a number of synonyms, including "Ebosia pavo", "E. starksi", "Pterois jordani", "P. natalensis", "P. nigripinnis", and "P. tanabensis".

Anatomy and appearance

"Parapterois" is similar to the other lionfish in appearance. Their bodies are red and white, and their pectoral fins are expanded. These fish are venomous. "P. heterura" may reach a maximum of about 23 centimetres (9 in) TL. However, most specimens are much smaller; larger adults of both species are about 11 centimetres (4 in) in length.

A number of differences set this genus apart from "Pterois", in which "P. heterura" was first described to. "Parapterois" have more (18-21) pectoral fin rays than "Pterois" (12-17), and, in the former, these rays may be branched, while they are never branched in "Pterois". "Parapterois" have two anal fin spines, while "Pterois" have three. Also, as a more obvious trait, the caudal fin of these fish are truncated with longer upper and lower caudal fin rays, while the caudal fin in "Pterois" is rounded.cite journal|url=http://zoolstud.sinica.edu.tw/Journals/43.1/1.pdf|first=Hiroyuki|last=Motomura|title=Morphological Comparison of a Poorly Known Scorpionfish, "Parapterois macrura", with a Related Species, "P. heterura" (Scorpaenidae: Pteroinae)|journal=Zoological Studies|pages=1–7|year=2004|volume=43|format=PDF]

"P. macrura" and "P. heterura" differ in that "P. heterura" has scales in a pit between the posterior nostrils while "P. macrura" does not (except for a population of "P. heterura" found off the coasts of West India, South Africa, and Mozambique, which may be a different species). These species do not differ much in fin spine, fin ray, gill raker counts, and most body proportions. Their differences lie in a small difference in head proportions. Also, in adults, the upper margin of the eye of "P. heterura" is below the base of the first dorsal fin spine, while it is above in "P. macrura" (this trait is not consistent in juveniles, in which the eye margin may be below in both species).

Distribution and habitat

"Parapterois" originate from the Indian Ocean and the West Pacific Ocean. "P. heterura" is widely distributed on the southeastern coast of Africa as well as off Japan and in Indonesia. By contrast, "P. macrura" is only found off the west coast of India.

"P. heterura" may usually be found in sheltered coastal bays with a soft bottom, such as fine sand or mud. It's found in depths ranging from 40-300 metres (130-1000 ft).

Ecology

"Parapterois" are sedentary fish. "P. heterura" may even bury itself within the substrate. "P. heterura" flashes its brightly-colored pectoral fins to startle predators and escape, but it may also use these fins to corner prey. This behavior has been demonstrated in other lionfish.

In the aquarium

Despite the popularity of other lionfish, "Parapterois" species are only rarely found in the aquarium trade.cite web|url=http://www.wetwebmedia.com/lions&rels2.htm|last=Fenner|first=Bob|title=The Scorpionfishes We Call Lions, Family Scorpaenidae, subfamily Pteroinae|accessdate=2007-04-09] "P. heterura" can be found on certain online marine aquarium fish stores, but is not common.

References