Mimagoniates
Encyclopedia
Mimagoniates is a genus
of Stevardiinae, a subfamily of tropical characid
fish
from Central
and South America
. Commonly known as croaking tetras or chirping tetras because they can produce sounds, some of these fish were formerly included in Glandulocauda
.
They have a supplementary breathing organ located above the gill
s which makes a faint chirping sound when these fish come to the surface to gulp air. It also plays a role in courtship
as the male chases and hovers near the female while taking gulps of air and expelling it to make a rhythmic noise.
Croaking behavior may have evolved from a behavior called "surface nipping", behavior that occurs when the fish is searching for food. This gulping of air has no useful respiratory
function.
are accepted as valid today:
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of Stevardiinae, a subfamily of tropical characid
Characidae
The Characidae, characids or characins are a family of freshwater subtropical and tropical fish, belonging to the order Characiformes. The name "characins" is the historical one, but scientists today tend to prefer "characids" to reflect their status as a by and large monophyletic group at family...
fish
Fish
Fish are a paraphyletic group of organisms that consist of all gill-bearing aquatic vertebrate animals that lack limbs with digits. Included in this definition are the living hagfish, lampreys, and cartilaginous and bony fish, as well as various extinct related groups...
from Central
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
and South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
. Commonly known as croaking tetras or chirping tetras because they can produce sounds, some of these fish were formerly included in Glandulocauda
Glandulocauda
Glandulocauda is a genus of characins endemic to Brazil. There are currently two described species in this genus.-Species:* Glandulocauda caerulea Menezes & Weitzman, 2009* Glandulocauda melanopleura...
.
They have a supplementary breathing organ located above the gill
Gill
A gill is a respiratory organ found in many aquatic organisms that extracts dissolved oxygen from water, afterward excreting carbon dioxide. The gills of some species such as hermit crabs have adapted to allow respiration on land provided they are kept moist...
s which makes a faint chirping sound when these fish come to the surface to gulp air. It also plays a role in courtship
Courtship
Courtship is the period in a couple's relationship which precedes their engagement and marriage, or establishment of an agreed relationship of a more enduring kind. In courtship, a couple get to know each other and decide if there will be an engagement or other such agreement...
as the male chases and hovers near the female while taking gulps of air and expelling it to make a rhythmic noise.
Croaking behavior may have evolved from a behavior called "surface nipping", behavior that occurs when the fish is searching for food. This gulping of air has no useful respiratory
Aquatic respiration
Aquatic respiration is the process whereby an aquatic animal obtains oxygen from water.-Fish:In most fish respiration takes place through gills. Lungfish, however, possess one or two lungs...
function.
Species
The following speciesSpecies
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
are accepted as valid today:
- Mimagoniates barberi Regan, 1907
- Mimagoniates inequalisMimagoniates inequalisMimagoniates inequalis, known as the Croaking Tetra , is a species of tetra in the genus Mimagoniates. It was previously classified as Glandulocauda inequalis...
(C. H. EigenmannCarl H. EigenmannCarl H. Eigenmann was an ichthyologist who, along with his wife Rosa Smith Eigenmann, described many of the fishes of North America and South America for the first time....
, 1911) (Croaking tetra) - Mimagoniates lateralisMimagoniates lateralisMimagoniates lateralis is a species of tetra in the genus Mimagoniates. Its common names includeCroaking Tetra ....
(NicholsJohn Treadwell NicholsJohn Treadwell Nichols was an American ichthyologist.-Biography:Nichols was born as son of John White Treadwell Nichols in Jamaica Plain, Boston, Massachusetts. In 1906 he studied vertebrate zoology at Harvard College where he graduated to Bachelor of Arts...
, 1913) - Mimagoniates microlepisMimagoniates microlepisMimagoniates microlepis, also known as the Blue Tetra , the Croaking Tetra , the Small-Scaled Tetra, is a species of tetra in the genus Mimagoniates...
(SteindachnerFranz SteindachnerFranz Steindachner was an Austrian zoologist.- Work and career :Being interested in natural history, Steindachner took up the study of fossil fishes on the recommendation of his friend Eduard Suess...
, 1876) (Blue tetra) - Mimagoniates pulcher Menezes & Weitzman, 2009
- Mimagoniates rheocharis Menezes & Weitzman, 1990
- Mimagoniates sylvicola Menezes & Weitzman, 1990