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> Tetraodontiformes (Puffers and filefishes) > Molidae (Molas or Ocean Sunfishes)
Etymology: Mola:Latin, mola, -ae = stone mill; because of the shape of this fish (Ref. 45335); tecta:Name from Latin 'tectus' meaning disguised or hidden, as this species evaded discovery for nearly three centuries.
Meio ambiente: milieu / Zona climática / intervalo de profundidade / faixa de distribuição Ecologia
Widespread in the temperate waters of the Southern Hemisphere (with confirmed occurrence in the southeast of Australia (New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria), around New Zealand, off South Africa and Chilean waters) and with occasional, but presumably rare, occurrences in the Northern Hemisphere.
Tamanho / Peso / Idade
Maturidade: Lm? range ? - ? cm Max length : 242 cm TL macho/indeterminado; (Ref. 115933); peso máx. publicado: 211.0 kg (Ref. 132224)
This species likely exhibits a similar biology to the other Mola species whereby feeding takes place during deep dives. Stomach contents of three specimens consisted of salps (Thetys vagina and Pyrosoma sp.) and the remains of a nectonic siphonophore, and in one instance, a 3 × 5 mm Styrofoam ball. All dissected specimens were heavily infested with parasites, particularly in the intestines (cestodes) and in the liver (likely larval Trypanorhynch cestodes). Gonadal shape differs between the sexes; the ovary is singular and ball-shaped, the testis are paired, elongated and rod-like and do not appear to frill during maturation. Migrations and spawning grounds, eggs, larvae and pre-juveniles are unknown (Ref. 115933).
Ciclo de vida ou comportamento de acasalamento Maturidade | Reprodução | Desova | Ovos | Fecundidade | Larvas
Nyegaard, M., E. Sawai, N. Gemmell, J. Gillum, N.R. Loneragan, Y. Yamanoue and A.L. Stewart, 2017. Hiding in broad daylight: molecular and morphological data reveal a new ocean sunfish species (Tetrodontiformes: Molidae) that has eluded recognition. Zool. J. of the Linn. Soc., 1-28. (Ref. 115933)
Status na Lista Vermelha da UICN (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2 (Global))
Ecologia Trófica Itens alimentares (presas) Composição da dieta Consumo alimentar Rações alimentares Predadores
Ecologia Ecologia
Dinâmica populacional Parâmetros de crescimento Idade máxima / tamanhos Relação comprimento-peso. Relação comprimento-comprimento. Frequências de comprimento Conversão de massa Recrutamento Abundância
Ciclo de vida Reprodução Maturidade Maturidade/Rel. das guelras Fecundidade Desova Agregações de desova Ovos Desenvolvimento dos ovos Larvas Dinâmica larval
Fisiologia Composição corporal Nutrientes Consumo de oxigênio Tipo de natação Velocidade de natação Pigmentos visuais Som de peixe Doenças e Parasitas Toxicidade (LC50s)
