Snappers and Grunts Codexery

Dara (fish)

A small grunt, the only species in its genus, found off West Africa.

Last updated

The dara (Parakuhlia macrophthalmus) is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a grunt belonging to the family Haemulidae. It is native to the Atlantic coast of Africa and is the only species in the monospecific genus Parakuhlia. It is notable for being the sole member of its genus and for its large eyes, reflected in its scientific name.

Scientific classification

  1. KingdomAnimalia
  2. PhylumChordata
  3. ClassActinopterygii
  4. DivisionTeleostei
  5. OrderAcanthuriformes
  6. FamilyHaemulidae
  7. GenusParakuhlia
  8. SpeciesParakuhlia macrophthalmus

Named by (Osório, 1893)

Close relatives

Other species of Parakuhlia with a Codexery entry.

Sources: Wikipedia taxobox: Dara (fish) (CC BY-SA 4.0) · differs from this box at order: WoRMS AphiaID 282050 (CC BY 4.0)

Conservation status

Data Deficient (DD)

Data Deficient: there is not enough information to place this species on the risk scale.

Population trend
Not held in our sources — see the assessment
Assessment published
2015

Source: IUCN Red List assessment · GBIF copy of the Red List category

How big is it?

Size comparison: Dara (fish) and a personA 0.2 m long dara (fish) drawn to scale next to a 1.8 m tall person. Schematic shapes, not a likeness.0.2 m1.8 m

Largest length in the source, 0.2 m, next to a 1.8 m person.

Diagram: drawn by Codexery, schematic shapes to scale (not a likeness). Length: Wikipedia: Dara (fish)

Where the dara (fish) has been recorded

Where the dara (fish) has been recordedPlaces named in the text; marked places: Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Guinea, São Tomé (island)Atlantic OceanGulf of GuineaSão Tomé (island)

Map: drawn by Codexery. Data: Natural Earth basemap (public domain) · place coordinates: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Background

The dara was first formally described in 1893 as Haemulon macropthalmus by the Portuguese naturalist Balthasar Osório, with the type locality given as Rolas Island off São Tomé Island. In 1913, the French zoologist Jacques Pellegrin described a new species and placed it in the new genus Parakuhlia, giving it the specific name boulengeri.

Pellegrin's taxon was later shown to be a junior synonym of Osório's Haemulon macropthalmus. The generic name Parakuhlia refers to Pellegrin's note that this species is similar in appearance to Kuhlia caudovittata, though it differs in several characteristics. The specific name macrophthalma means 'large-eyed'.

More in Grunts

HaemulidaeHaemulinaeHaemulon parraPlectorhinchus chatodonoidesRhonciscus paucoBarred gruntBigeye gruntBorriqueta porgyBrachygenys jessiaeEmmelichthyopsHaemulonAfrican striped grunt

Elsewhere in Snappers and Grunts

Vermilion snapper · SnappersPristipomoides filamentosus · SnappersBlackfin snapper · SnappersLutjanus fulviflamma · SnappersLutjanus purpureus · SnappersPinjalo pinjalo · Snappers

Test yourself

Three questions drawn from this entry’s sources. Pick an answer to check it.

1. To which genus does the dara belong?

Correct.

Not quite. The answer is Parakuhlia.

From the source: “The dara (Parakuhlia macrophthalmus) is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a grunt belonging to the family Haemulidae.”

2. What is the scientific name of the dara?

Correct.

Not quite. The answer is Parakuhlia macrophthalmus.

From the source: “The dara (Parakuhlia macrophthalmus) is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a grunt belonging to the family Haemulidae.”

3. In what year was Dara first scientifically described?

Correct.

Not quite. The answer is 1893.

From the source: “The dara was first formally described in 1893 as Haemulon macropthalmus by the Portuguese naturalist Balthasar Osório with the type locality given as Rolas Island off São Tomé Island.”

Answers checked against the source article

Sources

Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.

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