Mola tecta Nyegaard, Sawai, Gemmell, Gillum, Loneragan, Yamanoue & Stewart, 2017

Genus Classification

The hoodwinker sunfish (Mola tecta) shares the same genus as the better-known ocean sunfish, Mola mola. Like other species in the Mola genus, it has a flat, near-symmetrical oval body shape.

Diagnostic Morphological Features

It can be identified by its smooth body, lack of a head bump, rounded snout, and a maximum observed length of 242 cm (about 7.9 feet).

Fin and Scale Structure

It has no spines in its fins and no true caudal (tail) fin; its scales have evolved into small spines.

Coloration

Like cartilaginous fish, Mola tecta displays countershading, meaning its dorsal side is darker than its ventral side.

Interspecies Morphological Comparison

Compared to other Mola species, Mola tecta is slimmer, has a sleeker adult body shape, and lacks a protruding snout and lumps along its tail fin; this lack of tail lumps is the easiest feature to distinguish it from other Mola species.

Size and Weight

It can reach up to three metres in length and weigh up to two tonnes (2.0 long tons; 2.2 short tons).

Parasite Prevalence

Parasites have been found in every dissected Mola tecta individual.

Taxonomic Discovery History

Mola tecta was first discovered washed ashore on a beach near Christchurch, New Zealand, in 2014, and was formally described as a new species in 2017; it was the first new sunfish species identified in 130 years.

Southern Hemisphere Distribution

It is thought to live primarily in the Southern Hemisphere, and has been recorded in waters off New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, and Chile.

Northern Hemisphere Distribution Records

Multiple confirmed records of Mola tecta exist from the Northern Hemisphere, including a specimen from Ameland, the Netherlands (previously misidentified as Mola mola) collected in 1889, and a 2.1 m (7-foot) individual that washed up near Santa Barbara, California, in 2019.

Sympatric Mola Species

Another Mola species, Mola alexandrini, has been found in the Southern Pacific.

Mola mola Distribution

By comparison, Mola mola is the most widespread Mola species, and occurs in all major oceans except polar regions.