Family ATELEOPODIDAE

Ateleopodidae

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Introduction

The family Ateleopodidae currently comprises 13 species in four genera worldwide (Eschmeyer 2011). Rivero (1935) summarised the family. A single species, Ateleopus japonicus is tentatively recognised from Australia. Although considerable Australian material referable to the genus Ateleopus is available, no thorough work has been completed. Initial investigations, however, by M.F. Gomon (pers. comm.) indicate that there are several undescribed species of both Ateleopus and Ijimaia in Australian waters. The family is in great need of revision (Nelson 2006; M. Gomon, pers. comm.).

Jellynose fishes usually inhabit tropical and subtropical waters, and rarely temperate waters of all oceans. They are benthic on the outer shelf and slope down to about 600 m. They are distinctive in having a poorly ossified skeleton, a bulbous gelatinous snout and inferior mouth, and short dorsal and long anal fins. Ateleopus has elongate pelvic-fin rays, whereas the pelvic-fin rays of Ijimaia are noticeably reduced. Maximum size for the family is about 2 m.

General References

Eschmeyer, W.N. 2011. Catalog of Fishes. Online version updated 29 March 2011. http://research.calacademy.org/redirect?url=http://researcharchive.calacademy.org/research/Ichthyology/catalog/fishcatmain.asp

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

Rivero, L.H. 1935. The family Ateleopidae and its West Indian form. Memorias de la Sociedad Cubana de Historia Natural "Felipe Poey" 9: 91-106 pl. 8

Common Name References

Moore, J.A. 1999. Family Ateleopodidae. 1918 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, V.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 3 pp. 1397-2068. [1918] (FAO) (Jellynoses, Tadpole Fishes)

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