GALAPAGOS MULLET

Mugil galapagensis

TAXONOMY

Kingdom Animalia – Animal, animaux, animals

Phylum Chordata – cordés, cordado, chordates

Class Teleostei

Order Mugiliformes – mullets

Family Mugilidae – mullets, grey mullets, lisas, muges

Genus Mugil Linnaeus, 1758 – gray mullets

Species Mugil galapagensis Ebeling, 1961

Galapagos Mullets are nektonic, they swim independently of currents usually in shallow inshore environments. Mullets are planktivorous; they use their pharyngobranchial organ to filter particulate material like microalgae, microorganisms, and small invertebrates like detritus and algae, but also on insects, fish eggs, and plankton. As predators they feed on several species like schools, particularly at night. Galapagos penguin, larger fishes, crocodiles, birds, and various aquatic mammals such as seals, sea lions, and dolphins, prey on Mullets.

STATUS: LEAST CONCERN

Galapagos Mullet has a broad head and flat dorsally, their snout is short, and the mouth is small. The gill arches forming a characteristic pharyngobranchial organ. The teeth are on the lips what is rare since most species of fishes have the teeth attached directly to the jawbones. In most species of mullets; moreover, the teeth are very small or absent. The eyes could be covered by adipose tissue in part. They have 2 short fins that are separated T the first fin has four spines and the second has eight to ten segmented rays. Their anal fin is short, and have two or three spines.

References

Integrated Taxonomic Information System - search results. ITIS Standard Report - Error. (n.d.). Retrieved February 10, 2023, from https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt#null
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. (n.d.). Retrieved February 10, 2023, from https://www.iucnredlist.org/en
Encyclopedia.com. (2023, February 10). ." Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia. . encyclopedia.com. 3 Feb. 2023 . Encyclopedia.com. Retrieved February 10, 2023, from https://www.encyclopedia.com/environment/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/muguliformes-mullets

Keywords: dorsally, snout, pharyngobranchial, nektonic, adipose tissue, microalgae, planktivorous

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