Family CYEMATIDAE

Cyematidae

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Introduction

Members of the Cymatidae were reviewed by Castle (1977), who recognised two monotypic genera, and Smith (1989). In Australia, one species has been recorded from southern temperate waters (Paxton et al. 2006). Studies of larvae indicate additional species, and the group is in need of further study (Smith 1999).

Bobtail snipe eels are bathypelagic in all oceans. They have short bodies, greatly reduced skeletons, tiny eyes and long slender jaws that diverge towards the tips. Maximum size is less than 15 cm.

General References

Castle, P.H.J. 1977. Results of the research cruises of the FRV Walther Herwig to South America. 50. A new genus and species of bobtail eel (Anguilliformes, Cyemidae) from the South Atlantic. Archiv für Fischereiwissenschaft 28: 69-76 figs 1-9

Paxton, J.R., Gates, J.E. & Hoese, D.F. 2006. Cyematidae. p. 304 in Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & Allen, G.R. Fishes. In, Beesley, P.L. & Wells, A. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 35. Volume 35 Australia : ABRS & CSIRO Publishing Parts 1-3, 2178 pp.

Smith, D.G. 1989. Family Cyematidae. pp. 944-945 in Böhlke, E.B. (ed.). Fishes of the Western North Atlantic. Orders Anguilliformes and Saccopharyngiformes. New Haven : The Sears Foundation of Marine Research, Yale University Pt 9 Vol. 1 655 pp.

Smith, D.G. 1999. Families Colocongridae, Derichthyidae, Muraenesocidae, Nemichtyhyidae, Congridae, Nettastomatidae, Serrivomeridae, Cyematidae, Saccopharyngidae, Eurypharyngidae, Monognathidae. pp. 1670-1697 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.

Common Name References

Smith, D.G. 1999. Families Colocongridae, Derichthyidae, Muraenesocidae, Nemichtyhyidae, Congridae, Nettastomatidae, Serrivomeridae, Cyematidae, Saccopharyngidae, Eurypharyngidae, Monognathidae. pp. 1670-1697 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. [1693] (FAO) (Bobtail Eels)

Whitley, G.P. 1948. A list of the fishes of Western Australia. Western Australia Fish Department. Fisheries Bulletin 2: 1-35 map [12] (Arrow Eel)

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