The Kirk's blenny[4] (Alticus kirkii) is a species of combtooth blenny (family Blenniidae) in the genus Alticus. It was described by A. Günther in 1964, originally as a member of the genus Salarias.[5] It is a tropical blenny which is known from the Red Sea, Mozambique, Réunion, the Persian Gulf, and India, in the Indian Ocean.[6] Kirk's blennies inhabit waters near the shore, and often spend time out of the water. They are able to breathe air when on land.[6] They are oviparous, and form distinct pairs when mating; they also guard their eggs.[7]
| Kirk's blenny | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Blenniiformes |
| Family: | Blenniidae |
| Genus: | Alticus |
| Species: | A. kirkii
|
| Binomial name | |
| Alticus kirkii (Günther, 1868)
| |
| Synonyms[3] | |
| |
Size edit
They can reach a maximum total length of 11 centimetres (4.33 inches),[6] and feed primarily off of benthic algae.[8]
Etymology edit
The common name and the specific name honour the Scottish doctor, naturalist and explorer John Kirk (1832-1922) who collected the type of this species and gave it to the British Museum (Natural History).[9]
References edit
- ^ Williams, J.T.; Smith-Vaniz, W.F.; Hastings, P.A. (2014). "Alticus kirkii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2014: e.T46079096A46664349. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-3.RLTS.T46079096A46664349.en. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- ^ "Alticus kirkii https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/46079096/56997214". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
{{cite journal}}: External link in|title= - ^ Synonyms of Alticus kirkii at www.fishbase.org.
- ^ Common names for Alticus kirkii at www.fishbase.org.
- ^ Günther, A., 1868 (1 June) [ref. 1993] Additions to the ichthyological fauna of Zanzibar. Annals and Magazine of Natural History (Series 4) v. 1 (no. 6): 457-459.
- ^ a b c Alticus kirkii at www.fishbase.org.
- ^ Reproduction of Alticus kirkii at www.fishbase.org.
- ^ Food items reported for Alticus kirkii
- ^ Christopher Scharpf; Kenneth J. Lazara (26 October 2018). "Order BLENNIIFORMES: Family BLENNIIDAE". The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database. Christopher Scharpf and Kenneth J. Lazara. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
External links edit
- Alticus kirkii at WoRMS
- Alticus kirkii at ITIS
- Skin Characteristics and Organization of the Air-breathing Fish, Alticus kirkii (Gnther, 1868) along Different Body Regions Ahmed S.A. Harabawy; Imam A.A. Mekkawy, 2011. Journal of Biological Sciences ISSN 1727-3048
- Alticus kirkii at www.fishwise.co.za.
 | This Blenniidae article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |