Spiny turbots
The family Psettodidae, commonly known as spiny turbots, belongs to the order Pleuronectiformes (flatfish). Unlike more specialized flatfish, species within this family exhibit a more symmetrical body structure, which is considered a primitive trait within their taxonomic order.
What the section contains
Spiny turbots
It is essential to clarify that Psettodidae are strictly marine organisms and have no impact on agriculture or crop production. They are not plant pests, as their life cycle is entirely confined to tropical and subtropical marine environments in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
The biology of spiny turbots is characterized by the presence of sturdy spiny rays in their dorsal and anal fins, which distinguishes them from other flatfish. They are active predators, often found burying themselves in sandy or muddy bottoms to ambush small fish and crustaceans.
Their developmental cycle involves a metamorphosis where one eye migrates to the opposite side of the head. However, in Psettodidae, this migration is less extreme than in advanced flatfish species, and they retain distinct remnants of bilateral symmetry, such as the position of the dorsal fin.
As these organisms do not pose a threat to plant health, there are no agronomic control measures or protection strategies associated with them. Their primary significance is purely economic as a source of food in coastal communities where they are caught through commercial and artisanal fishing practices.