The Canary damsel (''Similiparma lurida'') is a
species
In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...
of
marine fish of the
family
Family (from la, familia) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its members and of society. Idea ...
Pomacentridae.
It lives primary in shallow, subtropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean, and is sometimes also known as the Cape Verde gregory, which is also a common name of ''
Stegastes imbricatus''.
[
]
Description
Each fish has large eyes, with coloring that is black to brownish black with blue on the fins, and lighter colors on the ventral part of the body. Juveniles may have lateral stripes on their bodies as well. During their mating season
Seasonal breeders are animal species that successfully mate only during certain times of the year. These times of year allow for the optimization of survival of young due to factors such as ambient temperature, food and water availability, and ch ...
, adults exhibit sexual dimorphism
Sexual dimorphism is the condition where the sexes of the same animal and/or plant species exhibit different morphological characteristics, particularly characteristics not directly involved in reproduction. The condition occurs in most an ...
.[
]
Distribution and habitat
Canary damsels are commonly associated with reefs in subtropical regions, where individuals grow to around 15 cm in length, and feed primarily on algae and small invertebrates.[Reiner, F. (1996): Catálogo dos peixes do Arquipélago de Cabo Verde. ''Publicações avulsas do IPIMAR No. 2. 339 p.''] It is found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean, specifically near Macaronesia
Macaronesia (Portuguese: ''Macaronésia,'' Spanish: ''Macaronesia'') is a collection of four volcanic archipelagos in the North Atlantic, off the coasts of Africa and Europe. Each archipelago is made up of a number of Atlantic oceanic islands ...
( Madeira, Azores
)
, motto =( en, "Rather die free than subjected in peace")
, anthem= ( en, "Anthem of the Azores")
, image_map=Locator_map_of_Azores_in_EU.svg
, map_alt=Location of the Azores within the European Union
, map_caption=Location of the Azores wi ...
, Savage Islands
The Savage Islands or Selvagens Islands ( pt, Ilhas Selvagens ; also known as the Salvage Islands) are a small Portuguese archipelago in the North Atlantic Ocean, south of Madeira, and north of the Canary Islands.30,000), white-faced storm- ...
Canary Islands, Cape Verde) and Senegal at depths to about .
Canary damsels inhabit rocky areas, where they lay eggs that are defended by males. The young can be found along the coast
The coast, also known as the coastline or seashore, is defined as the area where land meets the ocean, or as a line that forms the boundary between the land and the coastline. The Earth has around of coastline. Coasts are important zones in ...
, especially in tide pool
A tide pool or rock pool is a shallow pool of seawater that forms on the rocky intertidal shore. Many of these pools exist as separate bodies of water only at low tide.
Many tide pool habitats are home to especially adaptable animals that ...
s.[Quignard, J.-P. & Pras, A. (1986): Pomacentridae. p. 916-918. In P.J.P. Whitehead, M.-L., Bauchot, J.-C., Hureau, J.N. & Tortonese, E. (eds.) Fishes of the north-eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean. ''UNESCO, Paris. Vol. 2.'']
Relationship with humans
The Canary damsel is sometimes harvested for use in saltwater aquaria, albeit on a very small scale.[ Its total population size is unknown and it faces no known threats from humans aside from its infrequent use in the aquarium trade.][ It is also found in many marine protected regions. This fact, together with a non-fragmented range, and no evidence of population decline, has led the IUCN to classify the Canary damsel as "Least Concern."][
File:Abudefduf luridus.jpg
File:Fula negra (Abudefduf luridus), Madeira, Portugal, 2019-05-31, DD 43.jpg
File:Abudefduf luridus1.jpg
]
References
External links
*
{{Taxonbar, from=Q967991
Canary damsel
Fauna of Macaronesia
Fauna of the Azores
Vertebrates of the Canary Islands
Fauna of the Gambia
Fauna of Madeira
Canary damsel
Canary damsel