Sound production mechanism in triggerfish (Balistidae): a synapomorphy
Abstract
The ability to produce sounds foracoustic communication is known in
differentBalistidaespeciesbuttheeventualsynapomorphicaspectof
the mechanism remains to be shown. In Rhinecanthus aculeatus,
soundsresultfromalternatesweepingmovementsoftheright andleft
pectoral fins, which push a system of three scutes against the swim
bladder wall. In this study, we made a comparison between the
sounds produced by this species and two additional ones (Balistapus
undulatus and Rhinecanthus rectangulus) using hand-held
specimens to provide a description of the sound mechanism. The
results highlighted that the sound production mechanism is similar in
the three species. According to recent phylogenetic data and shared
morphological features, this mechanism could be common to the
majority of Balistidae family members and all species could be
capable of sound production using pectoral fins.