Bull rout (Myoxocephalus scorpius)

Distribution data supplied by the Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS). To interrogate UK data visit the NBN Atlas.Map Help

Summary

Description

Myoxocephalus scorpius is a moderately sized species of sea scorpion that can reach up to 30 cm in length in the south but up to 90 cm in the northern extent of its range. It has a large, broad head with warty protuberances and spines. It has a large, slightly downward pointing mouth and large dorsal eyes. Its body tapers gradually from the head to the tail. It has two dorsal fins narrowly attached. Its fins are tall, large and rounded apart from the the pelvic fins which consists of just three rays. The bull rout is green-brown above and often has dark blotches and bright milky-white spots above the pectoral fins. The underside is either cherry red (males) or light orange (females). The fins are mottled or with dark bands.

Recorded distribution in Britain and Ireland

Widely distributed throughout British and Irish waters.

Global distribution

-

Habitat

The bull rout is a coastal benthic species usually found on rocky bottoms with sand or mud at depths down to 50 m.

Depth range

-

Identifying features

  • Large, broad and spiny head.
  • Large lips and eyes.
  • Large mottled fins.
  • No space between the dorsal fins.
  • Mottled green-brown upper colouration.

Additional information

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Listed by

- none -

Further information sources

Fish Base (www.fishbase.org)

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Bibliography

  1. Dipper, F., 2001. British sea fishes (2nd edn). Teddington: Underwater World Publications Ltd.

  2. Froese, R. & Pauly, D., 2007. Fishbase. A global information system on fishes. [On-line] http://www.fishbase.org, 2008-02-18

  3. Howson, C.M. & Picton, B.E., 1997. The species directory of the marine fauna and flora of the British Isles and surrounding seas. Belfast: Ulster Museum. [Ulster Museum publication, no. 276.]

  4. Knijn, R.J., Boon, T.W., Heesen, H.J.L & Hislop, J.R.G., 1993. Atlas of North Sea Fishes. ICES cooperative research reports. ICES 194., Copenhagen

  5. Whitehead, P.J.P., Bauchot, M.-L., Hureau, J.-C., Nielson, J. & Tortonese, E. 1986. Fishes of the North-eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean. Vol. I, II & III. Paris: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

Datasets

  1. Centre for Environmental Data and Recording, 2018. Ulster Museum Marine Surveys of Northern Ireland Coastal Waters. Occurrence dataset https://www.nmni.com/CEDaR/CEDaR-Centre-for-Environmental-Data-and-Recording.aspx accessed via NBNAtlas.org on 2018-09-25.

  2. Environmental Records Information Centre North East, 2018. ERIC NE Combined dataset to 2017. Occurrence dataset: http://www.ericnortheast.org.ukl accessed via NBNAtlas.org on 2018-09-38

  3. Fife Nature Records Centre, 2018. St Andrews BioBlitz 2014. Occurrence dataset: https://doi.org/10.15468/erweal accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-09-27.

  4. Isle of Wight Local Records Centre, 2017. IOW Natural History & Archaeological Society Marine Records. Occurrence dataset: https://doi.org/10.15468/7axhcw accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-09-27.

  5. Kent & Medway Biological Records Centre, 2017. Fish: Records for Kent. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/kd1utk accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-09-27.

  6. Manx Biological Recording Partnership, 2022. Isle of Man historical wildlife records 1990 to 1994. Occurrence dataset:https://doi.org/10.15468/aru16v accessed via GBIF.org on 2024-09-27.

  7. National Trust, 2017. National Trust Species Records. Occurrence dataset: https://doi.org/10.15468/opc6g1 accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-10-01.

  8. NBN (National Biodiversity Network) Atlas. Available from: https://www.nbnatlas.org.

  9. OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System),  2024. Global map of species distribution using gridded data. Available from: Ocean Biogeographic Information System. www.iobis.org. Accessed: 2024-12-02

Citation

This review can be cited as:

Barnes, M.K.S. 2008. Myoxocephalus scorpius Bull rout. In Tyler-Walters H. and Hiscock K. Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Reviews, [on-line]. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. [cited 02-12-2024]. Available from: https://marlin.ac.uk/species/detail/154

Last Updated: 02/06/2008