Geographic range expansion of Ephippion guttifer (Tetraodontidae) in the north-eastern Atlantic.

The first record of the prickly puffer Ephippion guttifer (Tetraodontidae) from Galician waters (north-west Spain) is reported based on a male specimen of 570 mm total length (LT ) caught in the Ría de Vigo. Morphometric, meristic and DNA barcode data confirmed the identification. Histological examination of reproductive tissue was carried out in this species for the first time, showing a mature male in an actively spawning phase. A historical revision invalidates a previous record and establishes this as the northernmost confirmed capture ever reported in the north-eastern Atlantic Ocean. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.