First record of Prionotus punctatus (Triglidae) in central Patagonian waters, Southwest Atlantic: further evidence on the tropicalization of the Patagonian Sea

Abstract

A specimen of Prionotus punctatus was caught in Bahía Engaño, Chubut Province, Patagonia,Argentina. This extends the known distribution by 900 km and a 5.5° further south from itsprevious southernmost record. This record increases the number of species of the genusPrionotus and the fish diversity of central Patagonia. The presence of P. punctatus alongwith other recent reports of fish of tropical and subtropical lineages in central Patagoniaadds new evidence on the ongoing tropicalization of the Patagonian Sea.