Rare occurrences of ocean sunfish (Mola mola) in the Bay Islands of Honduras; Notes on distribution and osteology
Brown, T.W.; Manzanares, A.J. (2024). Rare occurrences of ocean sunfish (Mola mola) in the Bay Islands of Honduras; Notes on distribution and osteology. Caribb. J. Sci. 54(2): 410-420. https://dx.doi.org/10.18475/cjos.v54i2.a19
In: Caribbean Journal of Science. Department of Marine Sciences, University of Puerto Rico: Mayagüez. ISSN 0008-6452, more
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| Keywords |
Mola mola (Linnaeus, 1758) [WoRMS]
Marine/Coastal |
| Authors | | Top |
- Brown, T.W.
- Manzanares, A.J.
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| Abstract |
The ocean sunfish, Mola mola (Tetraodontiformes: Molidae), is among the world's heaviest bony fish. Despite its worldwide distribution and conspicuous appearance, its presence in certain oceanic regions remains underreported. This note documents the occurrence of a deceased Mola mola specimen on Utila, Bay Islands, located in the Caribbean Sea of Honduras. We present data on the morphology and osteological characteristics of the partially recovered specimen, as well as a photographic voucher from a previous encounter with a live individual in this region. Our contribution adds to a better understanding of the distribution of this species in the Western Atlantic and Mesoamerican Caribbean by confirming their occasional presence in the Bay Islands National Marine Park of Honduras. |
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