@WAtlFish

Entomologist, fish nerd, and illustrator.

 Yale University
watlfish.com
Joined July 2015
  • Tweets8.3K
  • Following316
  • Followers1.2K
846Media
Ray Simpson retweeted
Schmidt Ocean@SchmidtOceanSep 3
#DeepWonders science team located 25 cold seep ecosystems and discovered 20 suspected new species. They also encountered abandoned fishing gear and trash β€” an important reminder that humans have an impact in places they’ve never seen or visited before.
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Ray Simpson retweeted
Nick Volpe
@nvolpewildAug 4
My brain cannot comprehend this!! 🀯 These incredible newly described fish are NOT SEAHORSES but have evolved a similar shape and behaviours! Nature is the BEST! πŸ’™
Phys.org
@physorg_comAug 3
A seahorse-shaped fish long mislabeled in museum drawers is not a seahorse after all: just seven specimens over 65 years point to a separate branch with the seahorse body plan evolved twice. @ConversationEDU phys.org/news/2026-08-museum…

New museum find shows nature can't stop inventing seahorses

At first glance, it looks exactly like a seahorse. It has the same horse-shaped head tilted down from the body, the same curled, grasping tail and, in the males, a fully enclosed pouch for brooding...

phys.org
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1/12 🚨🚨 I am so excited to share chapter 1 of my dissertation, now preprinted here: biorxiv.org/content/10.64898… We ask if are their fundamental, shared mechanisms that stop us from inferring the relationship of species and their timescale of divergence #biology #science
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Who knew such cuteness was lurking in the eastern Pacific abyssal zone? This is the bumpy snailfish, Careproctus colliculi n. sp. described by Gerringer et al. in Ichs & Herps., sequences now in GenBank. doi.org/10.1643/i2024069
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#NewSpeciesAlert - π‘€π‘œπ‘π‘’π‘™π‘Ž π‘¦π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘Ž. An integrative taxonomy investigation unravels a cryptic species of π‘€π‘œπ‘π‘’π‘™π‘Ž Rafinesque, 1810 (Mobulidae, Myliobatiformes), from the Atlantic Ocean. #MantaRay #DevilRay πŸ”’ link.springer.com/article/10…
Bucair, N., Hinojosa-Alvarez, S., Marshall, A.D. et al. An integrative taxonomy investigation unravels a cryptic species of π‘€π‘œπ‘π‘’π‘™π‘Ž Rafinesque, 1810 (Mobulidae, Myliobatiformes), from the Atlantic Ocean. Environ Biol Fish (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-025-01727-2

ALT Bucair, N., Hinojosa-Alvarez, S., Marshall, A.D. et al. An integrative taxonomy investigation unravels a cryptic species of π‘€π‘œπ‘π‘’π‘™π‘Ž Rafinesque, 1810 (Mobulidae, Myliobatiformes), from the Atlantic Ocean. Environ Biol Fish (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-025-01727-2

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New paper out in Proceedings B @royalsociety by our team and Brazilian collaborators! Mid-Atlantic islands act as natural evolutionary incubators and highlight how rare dispersal across soft barriers can spark speciation. DM me if you want the PDF! royalsocietypublishing.org/d…
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πŸ”¬Distribution and taxonomic identity of the species of π‘π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘π‘–π‘›π‘’ (Toperdiniformes: Narcinidae) in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean. #NumbFish #ElectricRays #FlatSharks πŸ“· π‘π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘π‘–π‘›π‘’ π‘π‘Žπ‘›π‘π‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘“π‘‘π‘–π‘– πŸ”“ onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/…
GonΓ§alves AraΓΊjo, M. V., Rosa, R. S., & Capretz Batista da Silva, J. P. (2025). Distribution and taxonomic identity of the species of Narcine (Toperdiniformes: Narcinidae) in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean. Journal of Fish Biology, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70106

ALT GonΓ§alves AraΓΊjo, M. V., Rosa, R. S., & Capretz Batista da Silva, J. P. (2025). Distribution and taxonomic identity of the species of Narcine (Toperdiniformes: Narcinidae) in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean. Journal of Fish Biology, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70106

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πŸ”¬ Lack of red blood cells in noodlefish is convergent with icefish! Independent evolutionary deterioration of the oxygen-transport system in Asian noodlefishes & Antarctic icefishes πŸ“· Asian noodlefish spawning male of π‘π‘’π‘œπ‘ π‘Žπ‘™π‘Žπ‘›π‘₯ π‘—π‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘‘π‘Žπ‘›π‘– πŸ”“ cell.com/current-biology/ful…
Li, Yu-Long et al. Independent evolutionary deterioration of the oxygen-transport system in Asian noodlefishes and Antarctic icefishes, Current Biology, Volume 35, Issue 13, 3133 - 3145.e6 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2025.05.050 On the cover: Spawning male of π‘π‘’π‘œπ‘ π‘Žπ‘™π‘Žπ‘›π‘₯ π‘—π‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘‘π‘Žπ‘›π‘– (Osmeriformes: Salangidae), a species of Asian noodlefish characterized by their transparency due to the absence of red blood cells, slender bodies and scaleless skins, and a poorly ossified skeleton. In this issue, Li et al. report the complete loss of the myoglobin gene and the independent deterioration of hemoglobin genes in Asian noodlefishes, facilitated by historical contingency, neoteny, and reduced purifying selection. They demonstrate that the evolutionary pathways to hemoprotein gene loss in Asian noodlefishes and in Antarctic icefishes are strikingly different. Image by Xuhongyi Zheng and Longyi Chen (used with permission).

ALT Li, Yu-Long et al. Independent evolutionary deterioration of the oxygen-transport system in Asian noodlefishes and Antarctic icefishes, Current Biology, Volume 35, Issue 13, 3133 - 3145.e6 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2025.05.050 On the cover: Spawning male of π‘π‘’π‘œπ‘ π‘Žπ‘™π‘Žπ‘›π‘₯ π‘—π‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘‘π‘Žπ‘›π‘– (Osmeriformes: Salangidae), a species of Asian noodlefish characterized by their transparency due to the absence of red blood cells, slender bodies and scaleless skins, and a poorly ossified skeleton. In this issue, Li et al. report the complete loss of the myoglobin gene and the independent deterioration of hemoglobin genes in Asian noodlefishes, facilitated by historical contingency, neoteny, and reduced purifying selection. They demonstrate that the evolutionary pathways to hemoprotein gene loss in Asian noodlefishes and in Antarctic icefishes are strikingly different. Image by Xuhongyi Zheng and Longyi Chen (used with permission).

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#NewSpeciesAlert - π‘†π‘¦π‘›π‘œπ‘‘π‘’π‘  π‘Žπ‘’π‘‘π‘’π‘šπ‘›π‘’π‘ , a new species of lizardfish (Aulopiformes, Synodontidae) from the Indo-Pacific region, and a reassessment of distributional records of π‘†π‘¦π‘›π‘œπ‘‘π‘’π‘  π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘π‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘šπ‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘šπ‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘Žπ‘‘π‘’π‘ . πŸ”“ zookeys.pensoft.net/article/…
Furuhashi R, Motomura H (2025) π‘†π‘¦π‘›π‘œπ‘‘π‘’π‘  π‘Žπ‘’π‘‘π‘’π‘šπ‘›π‘’π‘ , a new species of lizardfish (Aulopiformes, Synodontidae) from the Indo-Pacific region, and a reassessment of distributional records of π‘†π‘¦π‘›π‘œπ‘‘π‘’π‘  π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘π‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘šπ‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘šπ‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘Žπ‘‘π‘’π‘ . ZooKeys 1243: 191-206. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1243.147259

ALT Furuhashi R, Motomura H (2025) π‘†π‘¦π‘›π‘œπ‘‘π‘’π‘  π‘Žπ‘’π‘‘π‘’π‘šπ‘›π‘’π‘ , a new species of lizardfish (Aulopiformes, Synodontidae) from the Indo-Pacific region, and a reassessment of distributional records of π‘†π‘¦π‘›π‘œπ‘‘π‘’π‘  π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘π‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘šπ‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘šπ‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘Žπ‘‘π‘’π‘ . ZooKeys 1243: 191-206. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1243.147259

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Fascinating research - Industrial perspective: propagation, phenotypic characteristics, and varieties of the domesticated discus fish (π‘†π‘¦π‘šπ‘β„Žπ‘¦π‘ π‘œπ‘‘π‘œπ‘› 𝑠𝑝𝑝.) πŸ”’ link.springer.com/article/10… πŸ”“ (PDF here) - researchgate.net/publication…
Ng, T. T., Tan, M.P., Danish-Daniel, M. et al. Industrial perspective: propagation, phenotypic characteristics, and varieties of the domesticated discus fish (π‘†π‘¦π‘šπ‘β„Žπ‘¦π‘ π‘œπ‘‘π‘œπ‘› 𝑠𝑝𝑝.). Aquacult Int 32, 1247–1275 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10499-023-01215-3

ALT Ng, T. T., Tan, M.P., Danish-Daniel, M. et al. Industrial perspective: propagation, phenotypic characteristics, and varieties of the domesticated discus fish (π‘†π‘¦π‘šπ‘β„Žπ‘¦π‘ π‘œπ‘‘π‘œπ‘› 𝑠𝑝𝑝.). Aquacult Int 32, 1247–1275 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10499-023-01215-3

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Ray Simpson retweeted
Thomas Near@TJNear16 Jun 2025
Extremely pleased a species we described in April 2025, discovered using the same methods that demonstrated the Snail Darter is not distinct, is empowering local residents and hopefully leading to protection of the lovely and imperiled Birmingham Darter insideclimatenews.org/news/1…
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Our new paper reporting several new records of deep reef fishes at Australia's Coral Sea is out in Coral Reefs! Great team effort led by @fishguykai and including records made both by diving and ROVs. link.springer.com/article/10…
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Just published - Researchers have discovered that five large chromosomal inversions contributed to Lake Malawi cichlid diversity, akin to finding Mother Nature's cookbook for a "Quick Colourful Fish Salad!" πŸ”’ science.org/doi/10.1126/scie… Sci-comm post - myscience.org/en/news/2025/h…
L. M. Blumer et al. Introgression dynamics of sex-linked chromosomal inversions shape the Malawi cichlid radiation. Science 388, eadr 9961 (2025). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.adr9961

ALT L. M. Blumer et al. Introgression dynamics of sex-linked chromosomal inversions shape the Malawi cichlid radiation. Science 388, eadr 9961 (2025). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.adr9961

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#NewSpeciesAlert - π‘π‘’π‘œπ‘‘π‘Ÿπ‘¦π‘”π‘œπ‘› π‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘šπ‘’π‘œπ‘–. A new blue-spotted Maskray species (π‘π‘’π‘œπ‘‘π‘Ÿπ‘¦π‘”π‘œπ‘›, Dasyatidae) from Fiji, South Pacific. #JFB #Rays πŸ”“ onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/…
Glaus, K., White, W. T., O'Neill, H. L., Thurnheer, S., & Appleyard, S. A. (2025). A new blue-spotted Maskray species (π‘π‘’π‘œπ‘‘π‘Ÿπ‘¦π‘”π‘œπ‘›, Dasyatidae) from Fiji. Journal of Fish Biology, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70094 Live colouration of π‘π‘’π‘œπ‘‘π‘Ÿπ‘¦π‘”π‘œπ‘› π‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘šπ‘’π‘œπ‘– n.sp. Observed near South Sea Island, rocky reef, (Β©Jack Crosbie, observed 17 August 2023). www.inaturalist.org/observations/180044335 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

ALT Glaus, K., White, W. T., O'Neill, H. L., Thurnheer, S., & Appleyard, S. A. (2025). A new blue-spotted Maskray species (π‘π‘’π‘œπ‘‘π‘Ÿπ‘¦π‘”π‘œπ‘›, Dasyatidae) from Fiji. Journal of Fish Biology, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70094 Live colouration of π‘π‘’π‘œπ‘‘π‘Ÿπ‘¦π‘”π‘œπ‘› π‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘šπ‘’π‘œπ‘– n.sp. Observed near South Sea Island, rocky reef, (Β©Jack Crosbie, observed 17 August 2023). www.inaturalist.org/observations/180044335 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

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#NewSpeciesAlert - πΏπ‘–π‘œπ‘π‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘π‘œπ‘šπ‘Ž π‘‘π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘π‘Žπ‘’π‘‘π‘’π‘š, a new species of deep water basslet is described off northern Taiwan near the "Three Northern Islands" - Agincourt (Pengjia Islet), Crag (Mianhua Islet), and Pinnacle (Huaping Islet). #JFB πŸ”’ onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/…
Tang, C.-N., Lai, N.-W., & Ho, H.-C. (2025). Description of a new liopropomine basslet, πΏπ‘–π‘œπ‘π‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘π‘œπ‘šπ‘Ž π‘‘π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘π‘Žπ‘’π‘‘π‘’π‘š, from northern Taiwan (Perciformes: Epinephelidae). Journal of Fish Biology, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70086

ALT Tang, C.-N., Lai, N.-W., & Ho, H.-C. (2025). Description of a new liopropomine basslet, πΏπ‘–π‘œπ‘π‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘π‘œπ‘šπ‘Ž π‘‘π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘π‘Žπ‘’π‘‘π‘’π‘š, from northern Taiwan (Perciformes: Epinephelidae). Journal of Fish Biology, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70086

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Ray Simpson retweeted
Darren Naish@TetZoo28 May 2025
You can read my @RoyalSocBio Summer 2025 #Biologist article - Taxonomic trolling - here... rsb.org.uk/biologist-feature… #taxonomy @Biologist
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Our new study was just published in Global Ecology and Biogeography. We analyzed diets and distribution of reef fishes worldwide to answer a key question: In what environments do the most ecologically specialized fishes thrive? Delecambre et al. (2025) doi.org/10.1111/geb.70050
Delecambre, Z., Morais, R.A., Siqueira, A.C., Costesec, E.P., DubΓ©, C.E., Floeter, S.R., Friedlander, A.M., Leprieur, F., Letourneur, Y., Nunes, L.T., Casey, J.M., & Parravicini, V. (2025) Ecological specialization of reef fishes peaks in global biodiversity hotspots. Global Ecology and Biogeography, 34:e70050. https://doi.org/10.1111/geb.70050

ALT Delecambre, Z., Morais, R.A., Siqueira, A.C., Costesec, E.P., DubΓ©, C.E., Floeter, S.R., Friedlander, A.M., Leprieur, F., Letourneur, Y., Nunes, L.T., Casey, J.M., & Parravicini, V. (2025) Ecological specialization of reef fishes peaks in global biodiversity hotspots. Global Ecology and Biogeography, 34:e70050. https://doi.org/10.1111/geb.70050

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Ray Simpson retweeted
Thomas Near@TJNear14 May 2025
New from the Near Lab, @ChaseBrownstein & @yalepeabody "The many origins of extremophile fishes" We explore the phylogenomics and evolutionary history of the lovely and bizarre eelpouts, ronquils, pricklebacks, and wolffishes (Zoarcoidea). royalsocietypublishing.org/d…
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Ray Simpson retweeted
Thomas Near@TJNear7 May 2025
New from the Near Lab, a super collaboration led by @ChaseBrownstein Phylogenomics and evolutionary history of the iconic reef fish clade wrasses and parrotfishes (Labridae) science.org/doi/10.1126/scia…
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Ray Simpson retweeted
Thomas Near@TJNear23 Apr 2025
1/10 Excited to introduce two new species of darters, the beautiful Gurley Darter and Birmingham Darter in a #NearLab paper led by @ChaseBrownstein and made possible by the fish collection at @yalepeabody royalsocietypublishing.org/d…
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