Notocheirus hubbsi

Notocheirus hubbsi is a small marine fish, which is found on the coasts of the Southwest Atlantic and Southeast Pacific from Puerto Deseado (Argentina ), around Tierra del Fuego to Valparaíso ( Chile). The genus is Notocheirus previously monotypic, containing only this species The genus name comes from the Greek ( noton = back, cheir = hand ) and was awarded because of the lying far above the pectoral fins. The Style epithet hubbsi was awarded in honor of the American ichthyologist Carl Leavitt Hubbs.

Features

Notocheirus hubbsi is a rare type and so far explored only a little. He is only four to eight inches long. The body is covered by cycloid scales, transparent, elongated and laterally flattened. The fish have only the second dorsal fin, in contrast to externally similar species iso. In the upper jaw bears Notocheirus hubbsi teeth only on the symphysis of the premaxilla. The basin has a lateral extension which extends between the ribs to near the spinal column.

Some specimens have on the head odontodes that are associated with the lateral line system, may represent a second Notocheirus art that is so far undescribed.

Way of life

Notocheirus hubbsi lives in the surf zone and feeds on plankton eaters, especially of small copepods. Its fertility is very low. In the ovaries of the females were found only 71 eggs on average.

System

A study from the year 2012, which was performed by comparative genetic analysis, comes to the conclusion that Notocheirus hubbsi among the New World ears fish ( Atherinopsidae ) is to be classified.