Additional Observations on the Natural History of the Mudskipper, Periophthalmus sobrinus

Gordon, Myron; Evans, David H.; Oglesby, Larry C.; Boetius, Jan

doi:10.2307/1441852

Cited by 39 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…argentilineatus [as Periophthalmus sobrinus in Stebbins and Kalk (1961) and Gordon et al (1968)] and Ps. modestus [as Periophthalmus cantonensis in Gordon et al (1978)] are known to have a high tolerance for environments in which there is little access to water.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A study on the epidermal structure of Periophthalmodon and Periophthalmus mudskippers with reference to their terrestrial adaptation

Zhang

Taniguchi

Takita

et al. 2003

Ichthyological Research

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Epidermal structures of three species of Periophthalmus (Ps.) and two species of Periophthalmodon (Pn.) were investigated in relation to their lifestyle. All species of both genera lack a dermal bulge, which species of other two oxudercine genera, Boleophthalmus and Scartelaos, have in their epidermis. In Periophthalmus and Periophthalmodon species, which are highly terrestrial, the middle cells are well developed in the epidermis and the capillaries are distributed in the surface of the epidermis on the head and dorsal body. In Periophthalmus species and Pn. septemradiatus, the capillaries and blood vessels are also distributed in the epidermis of the abdomen, superficially in Ps. modestus and deeply in other species. In Ps. modestus, the capillaries are also densely distributed on the surface of the epidermis in the caudal area, whereas in other species, the epidermal capillaries and blood vessels of this area are located deep with a very low density. In Pn. schlosseri, the epidermal capillaries are not found in either the abdominal area or caudal area. A comparison of the distribution of epidermal capillaries among Boleophthalmus, Periophthalmodon, Periophthalmus, and Scartelaos species revealed that the skin makes a larger contribution to respiration in the species having a more terrestrial lifestyle. Goblet mucous cells are completely lacking in Periophthalmus species, whereas slimelike materials were often found on the skin surface of Periophthalmus species. This finding suggests that Periophthalmus species have some unknown mechanism for producing mucus. In Pn. schlosseri, exposure of the dense capillary net on the surface of the head is likely to increase cutaneous respiration, but it also makes the fish an attractive target of bloodsucking insects.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A study on the epidermal structure of Periophthalmodon and Periophthalmus mudskippers with reference to their terrestrial adaptation

Zhang

Taniguchi

Takita

et al. 2003

Ichthyological Research

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“…Amphibious fishes 'live both in and out of water as normal parts of their life history' (Gordon, 1998;Gordon et al, 1968). Yet, although many aspects of amphibious fish physiology (i.e.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mudskipper pectoral fin kinematics in aquatic and terrestrial environments

Pace

Gibb

2009

Journal of Experimental Biology

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SUMMARYMudskippers use pectoral fins for their primary mode of locomotion on land and pectoral fins in conjunction with the axial musculature and caudal fin to move in water. We hypothesized that distinct pectoral fin movements enable effective locomotion in each environment. Additionally, we made three functional predictions about fin movements during locomotion on land versus water: the pectoral fin is depressed more on land than in water; the pectoral fin will have greater changes in fin area between propulsive and recovery phases in water versus land; anterior and posterior excursions will be greater on land than in water. Locomotion was recorded in each environment using a high-speed digital-imaging system and kinematic variables were calculated from digitized landmark points. Variables were analyzed using principal components analysis and matched pairs ttests. Mudskippers produce distinct kinematic patterns across environments (P<0.003), although only some of our predictions were supported. The magnitude of fin depression is the same across habitats. However, depression occurs during the propulsive phase on land (by -0.60 cm), whereas during the propulsive phase in water the fin is elevated (by +0.13 cm). We were unable to support the hypothesis that fin orientation differs between environments. Lastly, anterior extension of the fin is greater on land (1.8 cm, versus 1.3 cm in water), creating a larger stride length in this environment. We posit that the mudskipper pectoral fin may facilitate stability in water and thrust production on land, and suggest that the robust fin morphology of the goby lineage may predispose species within this group to terrestrial locomotion.

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“…and even between populations of the same species from different localities (Stebbins and Kalk 1961; 311 Gordon et al 1968;Colombini et al 1995). Retreating into burrows due to heavy rain was reported for …”

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confidence: 99%

Ecology of the Australian mudskipper Periophthalmus minutus, an amphibious fish inhabiting a mudflat in the highest intertidal zone

et al. 2011

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Abstract. A population of Periophthalmus minutus inhabiting a mudflat in the highest intertidal zone 20in Darwin was investigated for surface activity, feeding and reproduction in relation to environmental 21 conditions in dry (August) and wet seasons (February). On days with tidal inundation, the fish were 22 diurnally active on exposed mudflat surface at low tide, but retreated into burrows during daytime 23 inundation and at night. Temperature above 40°C and heavy precipitation suppressed the daytime 24 surface activity of the fish. During neap tides, the mudflat remained uncovered by the tide for nine 25 days in both seasons. The fish confined themselves in burrows without ingested food throughout the 26 nine-day period in August, but they remained active on mudflat surface and kept foraging in February. 27The salinity of burrow water during the nine-day emersion was extremely high (72 ± 6 psu, mean ± 28 SD) in August, but lower (46 ± 9), though still higher than the open seawater value (34), in February. 29The burrows had a shape of "J" in February, but were straight with no upturn in August. Fertilized

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Additional Observations on the Natural History of the Mudskipper, Periophthalmus sobrinus

Cited by 39 publications

References 2 publications

A study on the epidermal structure of Periophthalmodon and Periophthalmus mudskippers with reference to their terrestrial adaptation

A study on the epidermal structure of Periophthalmodon and Periophthalmus mudskippers with reference to their terrestrial adaptation

Mudskipper pectoral fin kinematics in aquatic and terrestrial environments

Ecology of the Australian mudskipper Periophthalmus minutus, an amphibious fish inhabiting a mudflat in the highest intertidal zone

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