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<p>The Clown Triggerfish <i>Balistoides conspicillum</i> (Bloch and Schneider 1801) is diagnosed by the presence of large white spots on the ventral body region. However, previously unreported ontogenic coloration in the prejuvenile stage is documented, challenging this diagnostic character. Three specimens exhibiting a coloration markedly different from those described in the literature, one of which (KAUM–I. 77831) was barcoded, providing molecular validation of this observation. Prejuvenile specimens exhibit black body spots that transition to white in juvenile and adult stages, while the body and head shift from predominantly yellow to black. In addition, a prominent stripe across the snout, which undergoes a similar black-to-white transition, was consistently present in juvenile and adult specimens and is proposed as an additional diagnostic character for <i>B</i>. <i>conspicillum</i>. Our study is the first documentation of prejuvenile coloration in <i>B. conspicillum</i> and provides new insights into ontogenetic color changes and implications for accurate species identification.</p>

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Ontogenic coloration patterns of the clown triggerfish Balistoides conspicillum (Tetraodontiformes: Balistidae)

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年2月2日

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  • Roxanne Cabebe-Barnuevo,
  • Keiichi Matsuura,
  • Hiroshi Senou,
  • Hiroyuki Motomura

摘要

The Clown Triggerfish Balistoides conspicillum (Bloch and Schneider 1801) is diagnosed by the presence of large white spots on the ventral body region. However, previously unreported ontogenic coloration in the prejuvenile stage is documented, challenging this diagnostic character. Three specimens exhibiting a coloration markedly different from those described in the literature, one of which (KAUM–I. 77831) was barcoded, providing molecular validation of this observation. Prejuvenile specimens exhibit black body spots that transition to white in juvenile and adult stages, while the body and head shift from predominantly yellow to black. In addition, a prominent stripe across the snout, which undergoes a similar black-to-white transition, was consistently present in juvenile and adult specimens and is proposed as an additional diagnostic character for B. conspicillum. Our study is the first documentation of prejuvenile coloration in B. conspicillum and provides new insights into ontogenetic color changes and implications for accurate species identification.