Modicus (fish) explained

Modicus is a genus of clingfishes endemic to the shores of New Zealand.

Characteristics

The genus Modicus is distinguished from closely related genera by the possession of well-developed gill rakers; rays in the pectoral fin; and by having their teeth clustered at the front of either jaw, each jaw having up to two well-developed canines with the lower jaw having a single row of backward curving teeth. There are gill filaments on the first 3 gill arches and the gill membranes are fused medially with the isthmus. The sucker is a double disc formed by the fused pelvic fins.[1]

Species

There are currently two recognized species in this genus:

Notes and References

  1. Graham S. Hardy . 1983 . A New Genus and Two New Species of Clingfishes (Gobiesocidae) from New Zealand . Copeia . 1983 . 4 . 863–868. 1445087 . 10.2307/1445087 .