Gomphosus

Gomphosus is a small genus of wrasses native to the Indian and Pacific Oceans.^[3]

Gomphosus
Green birdmouth wrasse (G. caeruleus) (top)
Bird wrasse (G. varius)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Labriformes
Family:	Labridae
Subfamily:	Julidinae
Genus:	Gomphosus Lacépède, 1801
Type species
Gomphosus caeruleus Lacépède, 1801[1]
Synonyms[2]
Acarauna Sevastianoff, 1802 Elops Bonaparte, 1831

Taxonomy

Although classified as its own genus, the genus Gomphosus is nested within the genus Thalassoma, rendering the latter paraphyletic.^[4] This close affinity is reflected by the fact that in the wild, Gomphosus will sometimes create hybrid offspring with Thalassoma species.^[5][6]

Species

The currently recognized species in this genus are:^[3]

• Gomphosus caeruleus Lacépède, 1801 (green birdmouth wrasse)
• Gomphosus varius Lacépède, 1801 (bird wrasse)