Clinus cottoides, the bluntnose klipfish, is a species of clinid that occurs in subtropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean around South Africa where it is a denizen of tide pools. This species can reach a maximum length of 15 centimetres (5.9 in) TL.[2] This species has a varied diet of benthic organisms including algae, crustaceans (isopods, amphipods, ostracods, copepods), mollusks (gastropods, chitons) and polychaete worms.[3] Comparing reproductive rates between males and females of the species, males tend to have a higher rate engaging in sexual activity. This results in a polygynandrous mating system.[4]
| Clinus cottoides | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Blenniiformes |
| Family: | Clinidae |
| Genus: | Clinus |
| Species: | C. cottoides
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| Binomial name | |
| Clinus cottoides Valenciennes, 1836
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| Synonyms | |
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Description
editBody is slightly compressed, a relatively small head with a wedge shaped snout and obtuse profile angle. It has a cluster of 4 - 5 tentacles above each eye. The first 4 - 5 dorsal spines are slightly shorter than the rest, with no notches in the membrane between spines.
Colouration is typically yellow to dark brown with 4 to 7 distinct bars. Two dark stripes radiate from the eye towards the operculum, when young, these lines are separated by intermittent blue spots. It has a characteristic dark spot on the operculum and very large, dark eyes. The center of the eye is slightly behind the edge of lips.
Diagnostics
editDorsal fin: XXXI - XXXVI spines, 4 - 6 soft rays. Anal fin: II spines, 21 - 25.
Images
editRepresentative images of this species can be found on the iNaturalist page for C. cottoides.
Reproduction
editJust as all members of the Clinidae family, it is viviparous.
References
edit- ^ Holleman, W.; Clements, K.D.; Williams, J.T. (2014). "Clinus cottoides". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2014: e.T178997A1557283. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-3.RLTS.T178997A1557283.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Clinus cottoides". FishBase. April 2013 version.
- ^ Food items for Clinus cottoides at www.fishbase.org.
- ^ Scheepers, Martinus (2019). "Mating System, Reproductive Success, and Sexual Selection in Bluntnose Klipfishes (Clinus cottoides)". The Journal of Heredity. 110 (3): 351–360. doi:10.1093/jhered/esz008. PMID 30726981. Retrieved 2020-03-07.
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