| Bobo mullet | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Mugiliformes |
| Family: | Mugilidae |
| Genus: | Joturus Poey, 1860 |
| Species: | J. pichardi |
| Binomial name | |
| Joturus pichardi Poey, 1860 | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
Agonostoma globicepsGünther, 1874 | |
Thebobo mullet (Joturus pichardi), is aspecies ofray-finned fish of themulletfamilyMugilidae. It is theonly species in thegenusJoturus, one of 17 mullet genera containing altogether about 80 species ofray-finned fish.[1] It occurs in rivers, includingbrackish waters, in much of theGulf of Mexico basin fromMexico as far south asPanama and theCaribbean coast ofColombia, as well as theWest Indies and the United States state ofFlorida.[1][2] Thespecific name honours theCubanlexicographer andgeographerEsteban Pichardo (1799-1879).[3]
InCosta Rica it is found in the east of the country along the Caribbean coast, especially in the north, for example in the drainages of theParismina River, where it is not abundant,[2] and up to 600m in altitude in the rivers of theMaquenque National Wildlife Refuge, where it is uncommon.[4]
It is a fish which lives in warm parts of large mountain streams, butmigrates downstream (catadromy) to breed inestuaries. Fry inhabit marine waters of the estuary. It is found around large boulders in clear, swift-flowing waters when adult, sharing this habitat withSicydium sp. (chupapiedras) andDajaus monticola (tepemechín) in Costa Rica. It feeds onmacroinvertebrates, and onalgae carpeting underwater rocks.[2]
InCosta Rica it is known asbobo orpez bobo.[2][4] It is fished here for subsistence consumption and sometimes commercially. It is sought for its size and good flavour.[2]
Its migration may be interrupted byhydroelectrical projects. It has historically suffered from population decrease andoverfishing in Costa Rica. It might be under threat from agricultural run-off from banana or pineapple plantations. It is not under any legal protection in Costa Rica.[2] It is found in theMaquenque National Wildlife Refuge[4] andTortuguero National Park.[2]
