Aphyonidae is a family of eel-like fishes in the order Ophidiiformes. They are found in tropical and subtropical waters throughout the world. They are deep-sea fishes, living between 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) and 6,000 metres (20,000 ft) depth.[2]
Aphyonids are small fishes, typically about 10 centimetres (3.9 in) long when fully grown. They have transparent, gelatinous skin, which lacks any scales. The dorsal, caudal and anal fins are united into a single ribbon. Most species are neotenic, showing a number of features as adults that are more commonly associated with fish larvae. For example, the skeleton is only partially calcified, and the muscles and gills are underdeveloped. The eyes, nasal organ and lateral line are also reduced, and they lack a swim bladder.[2]
The aphyonids are viviparous, giving birth to live young. The males bundle their sperm into small sacs (spermatophores), so that they can be stored for extended periods. This allows them to mate with immature females, which can then store the sperm inside the ovaries until they reach sexual maturity, and the eggs are ready to be fertilised. This unusual adaptation is likely a response to the difficulty of finding a mate in their dark and sparsely inhabited deep-sea environment.[2]
Referencesedit
^Nielsen, J.G. (2015): Revision of the aphyonid genus Aphyonus (Teleostei, Ophidiiformes) with a new genus and two new species. Zootaxa, 4039 (2): 323–344.
^ abcNielsen, J.G. (1998). Paxton, J.R.; Eschmeyer, W.N. (eds.). Encyclopedia of Fishes. San Diego: Academic Press. p. 134. ISBN0-12-547665-5.
This Ophidiiformes-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.
aphyonidae, family, like, fishes, order, ophidiiformes, they, found, tropical, subtropical, waters, throughout, world, they, deep, fishes, living, between, metres, metres, depth, aphyonus, gelatinosusscientific, classificationdomain, eukaryotakingdom, animalia. Aphyonidae is a family of eel like fishes in the order Ophidiiformes They are found in tropical and subtropical waters throughout the world They are deep sea fishes living between 2 000 metres 6 600 ft and 6 000 metres 20 000 ft depth 2 AphyonidaeAphyonus gelatinosusScientific classificationDomain EukaryotaKingdom AnimaliaPhylum ChordataClass ActinopterygiiOrder OphidiiformesSuborder BythitoideiFamily AphyonidaeD S Jordan amp Evermann 1898GeneraAphyonus Gunther 1878Barathronus Goode amp Bean 1886Meteoria Nielsen 1969Nybelinella Nielsen 1972Paraphyonus Nielsen 2015 1 Parasciadonus Nielsen 1984Sciadonus Garman 1899Description and biology editAphyonids are small fishes typically about 10 centimetres 3 9 in long when fully grown They have transparent gelatinous skin which lacks any scales The dorsal caudal and anal fins are united into a single ribbon Most species are neotenic showing a number of features as adults that are more commonly associated with fish larvae For example the skeleton is only partially calcified and the muscles and gills are underdeveloped The eyes nasal organ and lateral line are also reduced and they lack a swim bladder 2 The aphyonids are viviparous giving birth to live young The males bundle their sperm into small sacs spermatophores so that they can be stored for extended periods This allows them to mate with immature females which can then store the sperm inside the ovaries until they reach sexual maturity and the eggs are ready to be fertilised This unusual adaptation is likely a response to the difficulty of finding a mate in their dark and sparsely inhabited deep sea environment 2 References edit Nielsen J G 2015 Revision of the aphyonid genus Aphyonus Teleostei Ophidiiformes with a new genus and two new species Zootaxa 4039 2 323 344 a b c Nielsen J G 1998 Paxton J R Eschmeyer W N eds Encyclopedia of Fishes San Diego Academic Press p 134 ISBN 0 12 547665 5 nbsp This Ophidiiformes related article is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Aphyonidae amp oldid 1202323085, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
