Calotomus is a parrotfish genus from the Indo-Pacific, with a single species ranging into the warmer parts of the east Pacific. Compared to most of their relatives, their colours are relatively dull. Several species in this genus are associated with sea grass beds, but most can also be seen at reefs.

Calotomus
Calotomus carolinus, Carolines parrotfish
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Labriformes
Family: Scaridae
Genus: Calotomus
Gilbert, 1890
Type species
Calotomus xenodon
Gilbert, 1890[1]
Species

5 extant, see text

Species

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The genus includes these extant species:[2]

 
A female Carolines parrotfish (C. carolinus) in the initial phase.
 
A male Carolines parrotfish (C. carolinus) in the terminal phase.

The fossil species, Calotomus preisli has been recovered from middle Miocene beds from Austria, suggesting the Paratethys Sea might have been tropical.[3]

References

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  1. ^ Eschmeyer, William N.; Fricke, Ron & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Calotomus". Catalog of Fishes. California Academy of Sciences. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  2. ^ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). Calotomus "Species in genus 'Calotomus'". FishBase. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  3. ^ Bellwood, David R.; Schultz, Ortwin (1991). "A Review of the Fossil Record of the Parrotfishes (Labroidei: Scaridae) with a Description of a New Calotomus Species from the Middle Miocene (Badenian) of Austria" (PDF). Ann. Naturhist. Mus. Wien. 92: 55–71.