Cyclichthys
| Cyclichthys | |
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| Cyclichthys spilostylus | |
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| Genus: | Cyclichthys Kaup, 1855
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Cyclicthys is a genus of the family Diodontidae, are usually known as Swelltoads.
Distinguishing features
Fish of the genus Cyclicthys have three-rooted, rigid spines (actually modified scales) distributed over their bodies, and beak-like jaws, used to crush their hard-shelled prey (crustaceans and molluscs).[1] They differ from the porcupinefishes of the genus Diodon, which have moveable spines.
Defensive mechanisms
Like Tetraodontidae (blowfish) they have the ability to inflate themselves. Their inflated size combined with their spines make them extremely difficult to swallow. They may be poisonous, through the accumulation of tetrodotoxin or ciguatera.[1]
Species
There are currently 3 recognized species in this genus:[2]
- Cyclichthys hardenbergi (de Beaufort, 1939) (Hardenburg's burrfish)
- Cyclichthys orbicularis (Bloch, 1785) (Birdbeak burrfish)
- Cyclichthys spilostylus (Leis & J. E. Randall, 1982) (Spotbase burrfish)
References
- ^ a b Lieske, E. & Myers, R.F. (2004): Coral reef guide; Red Sea London, HarperCollins ISBN 0-00-715986-2
- ^ Matsuura, K. (2014): Taxonomy and systematics of tetraodontiform fishes: a review focusing primarily on progress in the period from 1980 to 2014. Ichthyological Research, 62 (1): 72-113.
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