Thalassophryne
TaxonThalassophryne
AuthorityGünther, 1861
Type speciesThalassophryne maculosa
Type species authorityGünther, 1861[1]

Thalassophryne is a genus of toadfishes found in the western Atlantic Ocean with one species (T. amazonica) found in the Amazon River and some of its tributaries.

Species

There are currently six recognized species in this genus:[2]

Venom

Members of the genus Thalassophyne are venomous. Venom is delivered through two hollow spines on the dorsal fin and two spines on pre-opercular regions, a venomous gland is located at the base of the spines and can be erected or depressed by the fish.[3]

References

  1. ^
  2. ^
  3. ^ Haddad Junior, Vidal; Pardal, Pedro Pereira Oliveira; Cardoso, João Luiz Costa; Martins, Itamar Alves (August 2003). "The venomous toadfish Thalassophryne nattereri (niquim or miquim): report of 43 injuries provoked in fishermen of Salinópolis (Pará State) and Aracaju (Sergipe State), Brazil". Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo. 45 (4): 221–223. doi:10.1590/S0036-46652003000400009. hdl:11449/30490. PMID 14502351

Further reading

  • Britz, Ralf & Toledo-Piza, Mônica (September 2012). "Egg surface structure of the freshwater toadfish Thalassophryne amazonica (Teleostei: Batrachoididae) with information on its distribution and natural habitat". Neotropical Ichthyology. 10 (3): 593–599. doi:10.1590/S1679-62252012000300013