I found out the reason as to why Periophthalmus walailakae has been mistaken to be Periophthalmodon schlosseri today.
Apparently, the distinguishing black lateral stripe coursing posteriorly down Periophthalmodon schlosseri was believed to be a display that is shown only when the mudskipper is agitated or threatened.
Reference:
Murdy, E. O., 1986. Mudskippers of Malaysia. The lords of the mudflats. Freshwater and Marine Aquarium 9:20-23.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Personal communication with Prof Ip
Important take home message from a brief exchange (I went to borrow a book from Prof Ip):
1. The secondary fused lamellae of the gills of Periophthalmodon schlosseri is a telling difference should I find it difficult to tell it apart from another species.
(Problem is, I have not been able to even lay my hands on one!)
2. When a mudskipper "disappears" into a burrow, it is not necessary its own.
1. The secondary fused lamellae of the gills of Periophthalmodon schlosseri is a telling difference should I find it difficult to tell it apart from another species.
(Problem is, I have not been able to even lay my hands on one!)
2. When a mudskipper "disappears" into a burrow, it is not necessary its own.
themudskipper.org
An informative website by Gianluca Polgar.
The species list taught me about the genera of mudskippers I am working on. Periophthalmodon has three species while Periophthalmus is the largest genus from the subfamily of Oxudercinae, with 17 species.
I love the applet (?) of a mudskipper on his site. It actually displays its dorsal fins!
The species list taught me about the genera of mudskippers I am working on. Periophthalmodon has three species while Periophthalmus is the largest genus from the subfamily of Oxudercinae, with 17 species.
I love the applet (?) of a mudskipper on his site. It actually displays its dorsal fins!
Pandan mangroves 04-09-08
Pandan mangroves is a thin strip of what was left after the completion of Pandan Reservoir. It is only a 15 minutes drive from National University of Singapore, along Jalan Buroh, which is good news for me if I am intending to tap into this source for Periophthalmodon schlosseri.
The back mangrove that is near to the road, and where a small stream flows consistently, a microhabitat containing many juvenile Periophthalmus argentilineatus is spotted. Further down the stream is where Paul, Marcus, Danny and me wait in anticipation to scan for any movement from the "wanted species number one" --- Periophthalmus walailakae.
When the tide was coming in today, we discovered the hot spot for "wanted species number two" --- Periophthalmodon schlosseri. I have yet to catch any of this species. Sigh. Mind you, we tried cast nets and tow nets today, on top of long hand nets.
Next up, weaving lessons for me (to make a trap).
Ps. Pandan mangrove smells bad; but Lim Chu Kang will always be my first love, not.
The back mangrove that is near to the road, and where a small stream flows consistently, a microhabitat containing many juvenile Periophthalmus argentilineatus is spotted. Further down the stream is where Paul, Marcus, Danny and me wait in anticipation to scan for any movement from the "wanted species number one" --- Periophthalmus walailakae.
When the tide was coming in today, we discovered the hot spot for "wanted species number two" --- Periophthalmodon schlosseri. I have yet to catch any of this species. Sigh. Mind you, we tried cast nets and tow nets today, on top of long hand nets.
Next up, weaving lessons for me (to make a trap).
Ps. Pandan mangrove smells bad; but Lim Chu Kang will always be my first love, not.
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