Thesphinx blenny (Aidablennius sphynx) is a species ofcombtooth blenny, and the only species in the genusAidablennius.[3] It was described byAchille Valenciennes in 1836, originally under the genusBlennius,[4] and was later reassigned under "Aidablennius" byGilbert Percy Whitley in 1947. It is asubtropical blenny known fromMorocco, in the easternAtlantic Ocean, and also from theMediterranean andBlack Seas.[5] Sphinx blennies inhabit shallow, rocky waters in thelittoral zone, with sunlight exposure. They feed primarily onbenthicalgae,weeds andinvertebrates.[6] Sphinx blennies can measure up to 8 centimetres (3.1 in) long intotal length.[5]
| Sphinx blenny | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Male | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Blenniiformes |
| Family: | Blenniidae |
| Subfamily: | Salarinae |
| Genus: | Aidablennius Whitley, 1947 |
| Species: | A. sphynx |
| Binomial name | |
| Aidablennius sphynx (Valenciennes, 1836) | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
Reproduction
editIn mating, the blennies form distinct pairs, and the females lay up to 7000 eggs in a sitting, which are then guarded in burrows by the males.[7] Males are known tocannibalize dead eggs to prevent infection spread amongst the healthy eggs, although in smaller broods they have also been reported consuming living eggs. It is believed that this is due to limited feeding opportunities for the males during breeding, as a result of their restriction to the nests.[8]FishBase considers the blennies to be of Low Vulnerability, with a reproductive doubling time of less than 15 months.[5]
References
edit- ^Williams, J.; Craig, M.T. (2014)."Aidablennius sphynx".IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.2014: e.T185168A1775545.doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-3.RLTS.T185168A1775545.en. Retrieved20 November 2021.
- ^Synonyms ofAidablennius sphynx at www.fishbase.org.
- ^Species in the genusAidablennius at www.fishbase.org.
- ^Cuvier, G. and A. Valenciennes, 1836 (July) [ref. 1005]Histoire naturelle des poissons. Tome onzième. Livre treizième. De la famille des Mugiloïdes. Livre quatorzième. De la famille des Gobioïdes. Histoire naturelle des poissons v. 11: i-xx + 1-506 + 2 pp., Pls. 307–343.
- ^abcAidablennius sphynx at www.fishbase.org.
- ^Food items forAidablennius sphynx at www.fishbase.org.
- ^Reproduction ofAidablennius sphynx at www.fishbase.org.
- ^Kraak, Sarah B. M. (1996). "Female preference and filial cannibalism inAidablennius sphynx (Teleostei, Blenniidae); a combined field and laboratory study".Behavioural Processes.36 (1):85–97.doi:10.1016/0376-6357(95)00019-4.PMID 24896420.S2CID 8149384.
External links
edit
- Aidablennius sphynx at www.fishwise.co.za
- Photos ofSphinx blenny on Sealife Collection
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