Family MYXINIDAE

Myxinidae

© Copyright Ros Poole.

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Introduction

Members of the Myxinidae have not been the subject of a recent comprehensive revision. Adam & Strahan (1963), however, summarised the group briefly, recognising six genera and about 20 species worldwide. Currently, seven genera and approximately 70 species are known (Nelson 2006). Five species in a single genus are found in Australia (Mincarone & Fernholm 2010).

Hagfishes are marine bottom fishes found in depths from six to more than 1300 m, where they scavenge for food. The group is essentially antitropical, found in the temperate regions of the Atlantic and Pacific. The tropical species found in the Gulf of Panama lives below 1000 m. Like lampreys, hagfishes lack true jaws and have a sucking mouth. They are well known for the production of slime. Hagfishes lack a larval stage; development is direct, the eggs hatching into miniature versions of the adult. The maximum size reached is 800 mm.

Strahan (1975) reviewed the two Australian species. Mincarone & Fernholm (2010) added three additional species. Fernholm (1998) discussed relationships within the group, recognising two subfamilies, and Wisner (1999) described two new subfamilies.

General References

Adam, H. & Strahan, R. 1963. Systematics and geographical distribution of myxinoids. pp. 1-8 in Brodal, A. & Fänge, R. (eds). The Biology of Myxine. Oslo : Universitetsforlaget.

Fernholm, B. 1998. Hagfish systematics. pp. 33-44 in Jørgensen, J.M., Lomholt, J.P., Weber, R.E. & Malte, H. (eds). The Biology of Hagfishes. London : Chapman & Hall.

Mincarone, M.M. & Fernholm, B. 2010. Review of the Australian hagfishes with description of two new species of Eptatretus (Myxinidae). Journal of Fish Biology 77: 779-801

Nelson, J.S. 2006. Fishes of the World. Hoboken, New Jersey : John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 601 pp.

Strahan, R. 1975. Eptatretus longipinnis, n.sp., a new hagfish (family Eptatretidae) from South Australia, with a key to the 5–7 gilled Eptatretidae. The Australian Zoologist 18(3): 137-148 figs 1-2

Wisner, R.L. 1999. Description of two new subfamilies and a new genus of hagfishes (Cyclostomata: Myxinidae). Zoological Studies 38(3): 307-313

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