Status, Characters, and Distribution of the Northern and Southern Puffers of the Genus Sphoeroides

Abstract

Sphoeroides maculatus, the northern puffer, and S. nephelus, the southern puffer, are distinct species whose ranges overlap along a short distance of the northeast Florida coastline between Jacksonville and Marineland. The northern puffer ranges northward to Newfoundland; the southern puffer extends southward throughout most of the Caribbean and the eastern half of the Gulf of Mexico. No specimens were found from or near the narrow zone of sympatry which would indicate intergradation or hybridization. In addition to distinct pigmentation patterns, certain morphological characters differ between the two species: S. maculatus has a higher number of pectoral rays, a wider interorbital, and a greater area of body surface covered with prickles. Pronounced ecological differences are also noted.