Sicyases sanguineus
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Sicyases sanguineus | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Blenniiformes |
| Family: | Gobiesocidae |
| Genus: | Sicyases |
| Species: | S. sanguineus |
| Binomial name | |
| Sicyases sanguineus J. P. Müller & Troschel, 1843 | |
Sicyases sanguineus is a species of amphibious marine clingfish in the family Gobiesocidae. It lives in the Southeast Pacific along the entire coast of Chile and southern Peru.[2][3]
Locally, it is known as pejesapo (literally, toad-fish). It inhabits shallow waters, including the intertidal zone. It can often be seen on exposed rocks above water, where it is able to breathe via the branchial surfaces and the skin. As long as it is kept moist by the splash of the wave action, it can survive for up to three days on land.[3][4] Together with Chorisochismus dentex of southern Africa, it is the largest species of clingfish at up to 30 cm (12 in) long.[4]
The fish is characteristic of vertical rock walls in the middle and upper rocky intertidal community along the exposed coasts of Pacific coast of South America, ranging from southern Peru to southern Chile.[5] Its niche is unique, with no known parallel development in other rocky intertidal communities. The most likely determinants of the distribution of Sicyases sanguineus are areas where vertical rocky shorelines encounter ocean swells and ample benthic prey.[3]
Sicyases sanguineus attaches by means of a large disc formed of the fused and highly modified pelvic fins, bearing small and flattened dermal papillae.[6] The combination of suction by disc and adhesion by papillae secure the clingfish to the rock.[7]
