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First record of the southern ocean sunfish, Mola ramsayi, in the Galápagos Marine Reserve

Abstract:

Ocean sunfish from the genus Mola, family Molidae, are the world's heaviest bony fish, reaching 2500 kg, primarily on a diet of gelatinous -Aooplankton. Three molid species are reported to occur in the Galápagos archipelago: Mola mola, Masturus lanceolatus and Ran-Aania laevis. To date, no genetic analysis of any molid has been conducted in Galápagos. In October 2011, tissue samples were obtained from nine sunfish at Punta Vicente Roca, Isabela Island, genetically analysed and found to be Mola ramsayi - the southern sunfish. This marks the first record of M. ramsayi in Galápagos waters. © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2013.