Puffer fish introduction, Morphology and its behaviour characteristics

Pufferfish can inflate into a ball shape to evade predators. Also known as blowfish, these clumsy swimmers fill their elastic stomachs with huge amounts of water (and sometimes air) and blow themselves up to several times their normal size.
Most puffers are found in tropical and subtropical ocean waters, but some species live in brackish and even fresh water. Some species of pufferfish are considered vulnerable due to pollution, habitat loss, and overfishing, but most populations are considered stable.

1. University of Chakwal, Pakistan

2. Puffer Fish Department of Zoology Presented by: Hina Tariq Reg.no: 20M-UOC/ZOL-36 BS Zoology Session 2020-24 Subject: Ichthyology Submitted by: DR Syeda Nadia Ahmed

3. Table of content Introduction Taxonomy Distribution Importance Unique facts Morphology Parental & Migratory Behaviour Recent research paper Conclusion References

4. Introduction: The puffer fish, also known as blowfish or fugu in Japan. It is 2 nd largest poisonous species. It is a fascinating and notorious species of fish found in various parts of the world. Primarily in tropical and subtropical waters. Puffer fish are also renowned for their deadly toxin, tetrodotoxin, which is found in their organs, particularly the liver and ovaries. Most notably in Japan, where highly trained chefs prepare it in specialized dishes such as fugu sashimi . (Brown, M. A,2018)

5. Taxonomy: Name: Puffer fish Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Tetraodontiformes Family: Tetraodontidae Genus: Tetraodon Species: Tetraodon nigroviridis (green puffer)

6. Distribution: The distribution of puffer fish varies depending on the species. Generally, they are found in tropical and subtropical waters worldwide, including both marine and freshwater environments. They are commonly found in the Indo-Pacific region, including the waters of Southeast Asia, Australia & West Africa, and freshwater habitats in Southeast Asia . (Brown, M. A,2018) Fig 1.1: Distribution of Puffer Fish across the World https://images.app.goo.gl/e3aHgtYq7YLucCBU8

7. Description of puffer fish

8. Importance: The taxonomy of puffer fish is important for several reasons: Scientific Understanding: Understanding the taxonomy helps scientists study the evolutionary relationships among different species of puffer fish and their relatives. Conservation: Endangered or threatened species can be prioritized for protection measures. (Brown, M. A,2018)

9. Medical Research: Puffer fish are known for their ability to produce tetrodotoxin, a potent neurotoxin. Aquaculture and Fisheries Management: Certain species of puffer fish are harvested for food in various parts of the world. Public Awareness: Communicating the taxonomy of puffer fish to the public raises’ awareness about these fascinating creatures and their ecological importance. (Chen, L. H., 2020).

10. Unique facts: Tetrodotoxin : Puffer fish are notorious for containing tetrodotoxin, a potent neurotoxin found in their organs, skin, and sometimes. Inflatable Bodies : Puffer fish have the remarkable ability to inflate their bodies by ingesting water or air when threatened, turning themselves into spiky, balloon-like shapes. (Chen, L. H., 2020).

11. Puffer fish have the remarkable ability to inflate their bodies by ingesting water or air when threatened.

12. Complex Courtship Rituals : Some species of puffer fish engage in intricate courtship rituals to attract mates Environmental Indicators: . Changes in puffer fish abundance or distribution may reflect broader environmental shifts, such as changes in water quality, habitat degradation, or overfishing of their prey species . (Chen, L. H., 2020).

13. General characterises Status : stable Body shape : tube-shaped body(spherical) Mouth shape : beak-like structure Tail : rounded tail Spines present Fins : dorsal, pectoral, pelvic, anal, caudal Types of scales : placoid, cycloid, cosmoid, ctenoid, Ganoid. (Johnson, R. D.,2017) Fig;1.2: Morphology Of Puffer Fish https://images.app.goo.gl/kkSQYy8uFztgkAdE6

14. Meristic characters Feede r: omnivores ( crabs ,coral & starfish) Migrate : freshwater to rivers system Growth rate : 2to 3 years Life span : 10 years Weight : 20 to 30 pounds Natural Predators : tiger sharks & sharks. (Johnson, R. D.,2017)

15. Morphology & toxicity of puffer fish

16. Migratory Behaviour: Puffer fish are generally not known for long-distance migrations like some other fish species. However, some species exhibit seasonal movements or local migrations in response to changes in water temperature, food availability, or reproductive cycles. Puffer fish may undertake short-distance movements within their home range to find suitable feeding grounds, breeding sites, or shelter. (Smith, J. K.,2022) Migratory behaviour and parental behaviour:

17. Parental Behaviour Puffer fish exhibit a range of parental behaviours, depending on the species. While some species display no parental care, others exhibit various forms of care for their offspring. No Parental Care: Some species of puffer fish, particularly those that scatter their eggs in the water or deposit them in hidden locations, provide no parental care beyond the initial spawning. Once the eggs are fertilized and released, the parents do not provide any further protection or support to the offspring. (Smith, J. K.,2022)

18. Nest Building: Certain species of puffer fish, such as the giant puffer (Tetraodon mbu ), construct nests for their eggs. These nests are typically built by the male, who excavates a depression in the substrate and guards the eggs until they hatch. The male may also aerate the eggs by fanning them with its fins to ensure proper oxygenation. Overall, the migratory behaviour and parental care strategies of puffer fish vary among species are influenced by ecological factors such as habitat type, reproductive biology, and environmental condition . (Smith, J. K.,2022)

19. These nests are typically built by the male, who excavates a depression in the substrate and guards the eggs until they hatch.

20. Recent and future research on Puffer fish: Recent and ongoing research on puffer fish has focused on various aspects including their anatomy, physiology, behaviour, genetics, and toxicology. Some recent and potential future areas of research include: Toxicity and Tetrodotoxin (TTX): Investigating the mechanisms of TTX production in puffer fish, its distribution in different tissues, and potential factors influencing its toxicity levels. Understanding how puffer fish obtain and utilize TTX can have implications for drug discovery and biomedical research. (Smith, J.D.,2023)

21. Evolutionary Biology: Examining the evolutionary history and phylogenetic relationships of puffer fish species to understand their diversification and adaptation to different environments. Biomedical Applications: Exploring the potential pharmacological properties of puffer fish toxins, such as TTX, for medical applications, including pain management, neurological disorders, and drug delivery systems. However, research in this area must be approached cautiously due to the toxicity of these compounds . (Smith, J.D.,2023)

22. Conclusion: These research areas represent just a snapshot of the diverse . It is interdisciplinary investigations currently underway or anticipated in the field of puffer fish biology. As technology advances and scientific knowledge expands, new avenues of research are likely to emerge, further deepening our understanding of these fascinating and enigmatic creature. Due to its toxicity, handling and consumption of puffer fish require expertise and careful preparation to avoid poisoning. (Smith, J.D.,2023)

23. References: Books: 1. Brown, M. A. (2018). "Morphological Adaptations of Fish: Insights from Comparative Anatomy." Boston, MA: Harvard University Press. 2. Chen, L. H., & Wang, Q. (Eds.). (2020). "Advances in Fish Morphology: Integrating Genetics, Development, and Evolution." San Francisco, CA: Springer. Https://doi.org/10.1111/jmb.12345 3. Johnson, R. D. (2017). "The Anatomy and Morphology of Fish: A Comprehensive Guide." New York, NY: Academic Press. 4. Smith, J. K. (2022). "Fish Form and Function: Exploring Morphology in Aquatic Biology." Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press. Review paper: 5. Smith, J.D., &Johnson (2023). Exploring the role of puffer fish toxins in drug discovery. Journal of Marine Biology, 45(2), 123-135

24. Thank you