Apletodon dentatus

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Apletodon dentatus

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Gobiesociformes
Family: Gobiesocidae
Genus: Apletodon
Species:
A. dentatus
Binomial name
Apletodon dentatus
(Facciolà, 1887)
Synonyms[2]
  • Lepadogaster dentatus Facciolà, 1887
  • Lepadogaster microcephalus Brook, 1890
  • Apletodon microcephalus (Brook, 1890)
  • Lepadogaster stictopteryx Holt & Byrne, 1899

Apletodon dentatus, the small-headed clingfish, is a species of

benthic
fish of shallow, rocky water on the coasts of the eastern Atlantic Ocean and the western Mediterranean Sea.

Description

Apletodon dentatus is small growing to a maximum length of 4 centimetres (1.6 in). When viewed from above it can be seen to have a depressed triangular head. The

pectoral fin. The pelvic fin has been modified to form a suction disc which is used to stick onto the substrate. Its colour is variable; it is frequently green with darker mottling, or reddish-brown dotted with dark brown, and it has large white dorsal spots. The adult males can show a large black or purple blotch on the dorsal and anal fins and purple patches on their throat.[3] It can show a white band behind the eyes and a stripe through each eye.[4]

Distribution

Apletodon dentatus is found in the eastern North Atlantic Ocean and the western Mediterranean Sea. In the Atlantic the northernmost extent is in western Scotland and it extends as far south as Morocco. It is found around the Canary Islands and the Azores. In the Mediterranean it has been recorded from as far east as Cyprus.[1]

Habitat and biology

Apletodon dentatus occurs in the tidal and subtidal zones where it is associated with submerged vegetation such as the sea grass

pelagic stage of its larvae are able to survive for around two weeks in open water.[1] They are associated with the holdfasts of kelp.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b c Herler, J.; Kovacic, M. & Williams, J.T. (2015). "Apletodon dentatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2015: e.T198771A45100025. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
  2. ^ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2019). "Apletodon dentatus" in FishBase. April 2019 version.
  3. ^ Barnes, M.K.S. (2008). Tyler-Walters H.; Hiscock K. (eds.). "Apletodon dentatus Small-headed clingfish". Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Reviews, [on-line]. Plymouth. Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
  4. ^ a b "Small-headed Clingfish". UK Fish. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
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