Parascorpaena picta
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Scorpaeniformes
Family: Scorpaenidae
Genus: Parascorpaena
Species:
P. picta
Binomial name
Parascorpaena picta
(Cuvier, 1829)
Synonyms[2]
  • Scorpaena picta Cuvier, 1829

Parascorpaena picta, the northern scorpionfish, painted scorpionfish or marbled rock cod is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes. This species is native to the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean. This species grows to a length of 16 centimetres (6.3 in) TL.

Taxonomy

Parascorpaena picta was first formally described in 1829 as Scorpaena picta, probably by the French zoologist Georges Cuvier with the type locality given as Java.[3] The specimen was part of an extensive collection of flora and fauna assembled by Heinrich Kuhl and Johan Conrad van Hasselt, who are sometimes given as the authors of the species description.[4] In 1876 the Dutch ichthyologist Pieter Bleeker placed this species in the monotypic genus Parascorpaena and he explicitly designated Scorpaena picta as the type species of the new genus.[5] The specific epithet picta means "painted", a name provided by the collectors which Cuvier conserved, and which refers to the marbled pattern which is similar to other species of Scorpaena.[6]

Description

Parascorpaena picta has 12 spines and 8 to 9, typically 9, spines in its dorsal fin and 3 spines and 5 soft rays in its anal fin. The pectoral fins normally have 17 fin tays but infrequently these could number 16 or 18. The first and second suborbital ridges are fused, creating a single ridge which has two spines to the rear of the level of the orbit. There are no spines below the eye and the ridges between the eyes are weakly developed, and do not surround a hollow and there is a poorly developed occipital pit which is barely a hollow.[7] The head is very large with a wide mouth and large bulging eyes that protrude above the dorsal profile of the head. The head and body have a number of skin flaps on them.[8] This species attains a maximum total length of 16 cm (6.3 in).[2] It has a mottled, brownish coloured body[9] and there is no black spot on the spiny part of the dorsal fin.[7]

The Northern scorpionfish is similar to the golden scorpionfish (Parascorpaena aurita) but can be distinguished by is poorly developed interorbital ridges which do not enclose a depression), its shallow occipital depression.[7]

The poisonous spines of the fish are dangerous to humans.[2]

Distribution and habitat

Parascorpaena picta occurs in the shallow and sheltered waters of rocky bays and reef systems in the eastern Indian and western Pacific region. The range extends to northern coasts and islands of Australia, from Exmouth in the west to Moreton Bay in Queensland.[2] it occurs on coral and rocky reefs in shallow waters, it is also found in silty habitats in sheltered bays.[7] This species can be found at depths of less than 15 m (49 ft).[2]

Biology

Parascorpaena picta is a solitary species.[2]

References

  1. ↑ Motomura, H.; Matsuura, K. (2016). "Parascorpaena picta". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T69798438A69800977. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T69798438A69800977.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2021). "Parascorpaena picta" in FishBase. August 2021 version.
  3. ↑ Eschmeyer, William N.; Fricke, Ron & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Species in the genus Parascorpaena". Catalog of Fishes. California Academy of Sciences. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  4. ↑ "Species Parascorpaena picta (Cuvier, 1829)". Australian Faunal Directory. Department of the Environment and Energy, The Australian Government. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  5. ↑ Eschmeyer, William N.; Fricke, Ron & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Genera in the family Scorpaenidae". Catalog of Fishes. California Academy of Sciences. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  6. ↑ Christopher Scharpf & Kenneth J. Lazara, eds. (2 October 2021). "Order Perciformes (Part 9): Suborder Scorpaenoidei: Family Scorpaenidae". The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database. Christopher Scharpf and Kenneth J. Lazara. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Bray, D.J. (2016). "Parascorpaena picta". Fishes of Australia. Museums Victoria. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  8. ↑ "Painted Scorpionfish". wildsingapore. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  9. ↑ Bob Goemans (2012). "Parascorpaena picta". Saltcorner Fish Library. Bob Goemans. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
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