Dorsal spinule patch variations in the puffer Lagocephalus spadiceus from Japan; revisited evidence for the existence of “spadiceus”- and “wheeleri”-forms

Examination of the dorsal spinule patch in Lagocephalus spadiceus specimens revealed the existence of two intraspecific forms, the “ wheeleri ”-form, characterized by an elliptical patch, and the “ spadiceus ”-form, with a rhomboidal patch with a continuous or intermittent posterior extension. The forms were not indicative of sexual dimorphism, although the appearance of a posterior extension of the dorsal patch was apparently growth-related. Ontogenetic studies of both forms, including genetic analyses and cross breeding experiments, should be future considerations.