A midshipman fish is any species of

toadfish {{short description, Common name used for fish Toadfish is the common name for a variety of species from several different families of fish, usually because of their toad-like appearance or calls using their swimbladder. File:OysterToadfish.jpeg, ...

belonging to the

genus Genus (; : genera ) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family (taxonomy), family as used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In bino ...

''Porichthys'' (in family

Batrachoididae Batrachoididae is the only family in the ray-finned fish order Batrachoidiformes . Members of this family are usually called toadfish or frogfish: both the English common name and scientific name refer to their toad-like appearance (''batrakhos ...

). Historically, there have been two common names. ''Porichthys'' refers to the well developed pores on the fish, and this led to the common name "Porous Catfish". The other common name, "Midshipman" is based on the pattern of button-like luminous spots (

photophore A photophore is a specialized anatomical structure found in a variety of organisms that emits light through the process of boluminescence. This light may be produced endogenously by the organism itself (symbiotic) or generated through a mut ...

s) which resemble the buttons on the uniforms of young naval officers known as

midshipmen A midshipman is an officer of the lowest rank in the Royal Navy, United States Navy, and many Commonwealth navies. Commonwealth countries which use the rank include Canada (Naval Cadet), Australia, Bangladesh, Namibia, New Zealand, South Afric ...

. Midshipman fish are distinguished by their

s and four

lateral line The lateral line, also called the lateral line organ (LLO), is a system of sensory organs found in fish, used to detect movement, vibration, and pressure gradients in the surrounding water. The sensory ability is achieved via modified epithelia ...

s. Typical midshipman fishes, such as the plainfin midshipman (''

Porichthys notatus The plainfin midshipman (''Porichthys notatus'') is a species of bottom-dwelling batrachoid toadfish. It is a member of the midshipman genus, ''Porichthys'', the only batrachoid fishes that have photophores. It is native to the North American co ...

''), are

nocturnal Nocturnality is a ethology, behavior in some non-human animals characterized by being active during the night and sleeping during the day. The common adjective is "nocturnal", versus diurnality, diurnal meaning the opposite. Nocturnal creatur ...

and bury themselves in sand or mud in the intertidal zone during the day, to float just above the seabed at night. Some species have venomous dorsal spines and are capable of inflicting serious injuries if handled.

Description

Male midshipman fish have two morphs: type I and type II. Type I and type II males have different reproductive strategies, and can be distinguished from each other based on physical characteristics. Type I males are eight times larger in body mass, and have much larger vocal organs. Type II males’ reproductive organs are seven times larger in size than those of type I males. Female and type II male midshipman fish can be distinguished from each other by the female's slightly larger size, and the type II male midshipman's large reproductive organs.

Species

Extant species

There are currently 14 recognized extant species in this genus: * '' Porichthys analis'' C. L. Hubbs & L. P. Schultz, 1939 (Darkedge midshipman) * '' Porichthys bathoiketes'' C. R. Gilbert, 1968 * '' Porichthys ephippiatus'' H. J. Walker & Rosenblatt, 1988 (Saddle midshipman) * '' Porichthys greenei'' C. H. Gilbert & Starks, 1904 (Greene's midshipman) * '' Porichthys kymosemeum'' C. R. Gilbert, 1968 * '' Porichthys margaritatus'' ( J. Richardson, 1844) (Daisy midshipman) * '' Porichthys mimeticus'' H. J. Walker & Rosenblatt, 1988 (Mimetic midshipman) * '' Porichthys myriaster'' C. L. Hubbs & L. P. Schultz, 1939 (Specklefin midshipman) * ''

'' Girard, 1854 (Plainfin midshipman) * '' Porichthys oculellus'' H. J. Walker & Rosenblatt, 1988 (Smalleye midshipman) * '' Porichthys oculofrenum'' C. R. Gilbert, 1968 * '' Porichthys pauciradiatus'' D. K. Caldwell & M. C. Caldwell, 1963 * '' Porichthys plectrodon''

D. S. Jordan David Starr Jordan (January 19, 1851 – September 19, 1931) was the founding president of Stanford University, serving from 1891 to 1913. He was an ichthyologist during his research career. Prior to serving as president of Stanford Universi ...

& C. H. Gilbert, 1882 (Atlantic midshipman) * '' Porichthys porosissimus'' ( G. Cuvier, 1829)

Fossil species

* '' Porichthys analis'' -

Early Pliocene Early may refer to: Places in the United States * Early, Iowa, a city * Early, Texas, a city * Early Branch, a stream in Missouri * Early County, Georgia * Fort Early, Georgia, an early 19th century fort Music * Early B, stage name of Jamaican d ...

Onzole Formation, Ecuador * '' Porichthys margaritatus'' - idem * '' Porichthys pedemontanus'' -

Tortonian The Tortonian is in the geologic time scale an age or stage of the late Miocene that spans the time between 11.608 ± 0.005 Ma and 7.246 ± 0.005 Ma (million years ago). It follows the Serravallian and is followed by the Messinian. The Tort ...

Italy

Biology

Reproduction and vocalization

Mating in midshipman fishes depends on auditory communication. Male midshipman fish produce several different vocalizations while females only make grunts in non-breeding situations.

References

External links

* {{Taxonbar, from=Q1909490 Batrachoididae Bioluminescent fish Extant Miocene first appearances