Zeugopterus punctatus is a small left-sided flatfish that is almost completely round in shape, with a broad body relative to its length. It is a mottled brown and white colour, a dark bar through the eyes,[2] light wide fins all the way round its body and a very small tail. Unlike most other flatfish, the Zeugopterus punctatus does not seem to change colour for camouflage but relies on immobility to avoid detection. Zeugopterus punctatus grows to a maximum length of about 25 cm. It is sometimes confused with the lemon soleMicrostomus kitti which can be found on rocky substrates too but has a noticeable pattern on its back, does not have such long fins and is a more pointed shape.[3] The eyed side is covered in small ctenoid scales while the blind side has cycloid scales, the many small ctenoid scales feel downy to the touch.[2]
This species lives along coastlines. It is unusual among European flatfish in that it prefers a rocky substrate. It has the ability to remain immobile in the most surprising sites, holding on to vertical rocks or even upside down under overhangs. This is achieved by using its broad fringing fins to fit itself into the substrate. Spawning takes place between February and June.[2]
It is carnivorous, feeding on small fish and crustaceans.[5]
Referencesedit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Zeugopterus punctatus.
^"Ocean Biogeographic Information System". Iobis.org. Retrieved 2016-05-25.
^Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds. Zeugopterus punctatus. FishBase. 2017.
April 12, 2024
zeugopterus, punctatus, common, topknot, species, left, eyed, flatfish, family, scophthalmidae, from, eastern, atlantic, ocean, scientific, classificationdomain, eukaryotakingdom, animaliaphylum, chordataclass, actinopterygiiorder, pleuronectiformesfamily, sco. Zeugopterus punctatus the common topknot is a species of left eyed flatfish in the family Scophthalmidae from the eastern Atlantic Ocean Zeugopterus punctatusScientific classificationDomain EukaryotaKingdom AnimaliaPhylum ChordataClass ActinopterygiiOrder PleuronectiformesFamily ScophthalmidaeGenus ZeugopterusSpecies Z punctatusBinomial nameZeugopterus punctatus Bloch 1787 Synonyms 1 Pleuronectes punctatus Bloch 1787 Contents 1 Description 2 Distribution 3 Biology 4 ReferencesDescription editZeugopterus punctatus is a small left sided flatfish that is almost completely round in shape with a broad body relative to its length It is a mottled brown and white colour a dark bar through the eyes 2 light wide fins all the way round its body and a very small tail Unlike most other flatfish the Zeugopterus punctatus does not seem to change colour for camouflage but relies on immobility to avoid detection Zeugopterus punctatus grows to a maximum length of about 25 cm It is sometimes confused with the lemon sole Microstomus kitti which can be found on rocky substrates too but has a noticeable pattern on its back does not have such long fins and is a more pointed shape 3 The eyed side is covered in small ctenoid scales while the blind side has cycloid scales the many small ctenoid scales feel downy to the touch 2 Distribution editThe eastern Atlantic Ocean including the North Sea Baltic Sea English Channel Bay of Biscay south to the coast of Portugal 4 Biology editThis species lives along coastlines It is unusual among European flatfish in that it prefers a rocky substrate It has the ability to remain immobile in the most surprising sites holding on to vertical rocks or even upside down under overhangs This is achieved by using its broad fringing fins to fit itself into the substrate Spawning takes place between February and June 2 It is carnivorous feeding on small fish and crustaceans 5 References edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Zeugopterus punctatus WoRMS taxon details Zeugopterus punctatus Bloch 1787 marinespecies org a b c Topknot Zeugopterus punctatus Marine Species Identification Portal ETI BioInformatics Retrieved 27 December 2016 British Marine Life Common Topknot Zeugopterus punctatus Oceaneyephoto com Retrieved 2016 05 25 Ocean Biogeographic Information System Iobis org Retrieved 2016 05 25 Froese R and D Pauly eds Zeugopterus punctatus FishBase 2017 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Zeugopterus punctatus amp oldid 1010716137, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
