Torquigener albomaculosus, or the white-spotted pufferfish, is the 20th discovered[1] species of the genus Torquigener. The species was discovered in the ocean waters around the Ryukyu Islands in Japan off the south coast of Amami Ōshima Island.[1] Observed depths of the species range between 10 and 27 m (33 and 89 ft).[1] The fish's head and body are colored brown with white spots at the back.[1] Its abdomen is silvery-white with white spots.[1]
The males are known for creating circular nests as part of their mating ritual in the sand, measuring 2 m (6.6 ft) in diameter.[2] Such nest designs were noticed since 1995, but their creation remained a mystery until the species' discovery.[1] The nests are created to attract mates through the nest's impressive design and ability to gather fine sand particles, both of which influence a female's mate choice.[1][3] Males never reuse a nest.[3] The white-spotted pufferfish was originally thought to be unique among pufferfish in creating these elaborate nests,[1] however in 2018 similar nests were observed off the coast of Western Australia, presumably belonging to a related species of Torquigener.[4]
In 2015, the International Institute for Species Exploration named it as one of the "Top 10 New Species" discovered in 2014.[5][6]
Torquigener albomaculosus, or the white-spotted pufferfish, is the 20th discovered species of the genus Torquigener. The species was discovered in the ocean waters around the Ryukyu Islands in Japan off the south coast of Amami Ōshima Island. Observed depths of the species range between 10 and 27 m (33 and 89 ft). The fish's head and body are colored brown with white spots at the back. Its abdomen is silvery-white with white spots.
The males are known for creating circular nests as part of their mating ritual in the sand, measuring 2 m (6.6 ft) in diameter. Such nest designs were noticed since 1995, but their creation remained a mystery until the species' discovery. The nests are created to attract mates through the nest's impressive design and ability to gather fine sand particles, both of which influence a female's mate choice. Males never reuse a nest. The white-spotted pufferfish was originally thought to be unique among pufferfish in creating these elaborate nests, however in 2018 similar nests were observed off the coast of Western Australia, presumably belonging to a related species of Torquigener.
In 2015, the International Institute for Species Exploration named it as one of the "Top 10 New Species" discovered in 2014.
