The Family Labridae

The wrasses atomic number 18 leatherneck weight; they occur in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific oceans (7:258). If a single conduct could be identified that was characteristic of the family, it might be their ability to sleep while buried on a lower floor sand (5:137).

The wrasses besides tend to exhibit great variation. Labridae is the second largest family of marine tiltes, and the third largest perciform family (6:386-204). More everywhere, it contains least 60 genera and approximately 600 species (2:203-204). Many species are highly colorful, and several color patterns may exist at bottom a single species. Coloration nominate excessively convert among males and females, as well as between animals of different ages. In the past, these phenomena have led to great confusion with project to wrasse classification. In addition, the wrasses exhibit considerable variation in size. The maximum wrasse size is 9.8 feet (3 meters); in contrast, some species grow to only about 2.4 inches (6 centimeters) (7:258). unrivalled notable behavior of small labridae species consists of removing the ectoparasites from larger angle (2:203-204).

The species, Tautoga onitis, may be characterized by the following features: (1) a steep head profile; (2) a blunt nozzle; (3) a terminal mouth; (4) thick lips; and (5) stout jaws. The search has two rows of extremely strong conical teeth. In addition, posteriorly the tautog has two groups of rounded, molarlike teeth. These are designed primarily for crushing (

8. Offutt, G. C. Response of the tautog to acoustic stimuli mensurable by classically conditioning the heart rate. Conditional Reflex. 6:205-214; 1971, October-December.

Normally, the tautog feeds on a wide variety of invertebrates. These may include barnacles, and pediculosis pubis. In the northern part of their range though, tautogs aliment primarily on mussels (5:137).

Of the wrasses, Tautoga onitis, is perhaps one of the largest. It may grow to a length of about 3 feet (91 centimeters). Furthermore, it can weigh as much as 22 pounds (10 kilograms) (9:393). most(prenominal) catches, however, are less than half the maximum size (1:653). Tautogs over 11 pounds (5 kilograms) tend to be rather rare (9:393).

It has been suggested that the labroid guttural consonant jaw's novel organization gives the fish tremendous plasticity with regard to feeding. Hard-shelled fertilize represent a very rich, and relatively under utilized, food source. The tautog's ability to exploit this resource puts it at a considerable competitive advantage compared to fish that crush hard-shelled prey (12:680-691).

Tautogs may be caught during still and bottom fishing. Either crabs or clams can be used for bait. In addition, the fish is a favorite of both small-boat and shore fisherman. It is also regularly caught by recreational "deep-sea" operators off naked York and New Jersey (9:393). Commercially though, tautogs are only of take for importance. While the fish are generally considered good food, they do not occur in large enough metrical composition anywhere throughout their range to be economically satisfying (1:653).

Tautog spawning occurs in the spring and early summer. In Rhode Island, for example, the fish enter Narragansett Bay in late April to spawn in June and July (8:205-213). Tautog eggs are buoyant and pelagic. There is no parental care. The young fish tend to live just off sandy beaches in among the sea-grass (5:137).

Tautogs can generally be found along steep rocky shores.
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