Family BATHYSAURIDAE

Bathysauridae

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Introduction

Members of the Bathysauridae live in deep waters of all oceans. The family comprises one genus and two species. Only one species has been collected in Australian waters, but it is likely that the widespread species Bathysaurus mollis Günther, 1878 will also be found.

Deepsea lizardfishes are benthic in slope waters below 1000 m. Food items include benthic fishes and decapod crustaceans. Characteristics include a large mouth with strong teeth extending far behind the moderate-sized eye, enlarged lateral line scales and well-developed body scales. Maximum length is 61 cm.

Species of Bathysaurus were revised by Sulak et al. (1985). Johnson (1982) treated the group as a distinct family, and placement here follows the work of Baldwin & Johnson (1996).

General References

Baldwin, C.C. & Johnson, G.D. 1996. Interrelationships of Aulopiformes. pp. 355-404 in Stiassny, M.L.J., Parenti, L.R. & Johnson, G.D. (eds). Interrelationships of Fishes. San Diego : Academic Press 496 pp.

Johnson, R.K. 1982. Fishes of the families Evermannellidae and Scopelarchidae: systematics, morphology, interrelationships and zoogeography. Fieldiana Zoology ns 12: 1-252 figs 1-74

Sulak, K.J., Wenner, C.A., Sedberry, G.R. & van Guelpen, L. 1985. Life history and systematics of Bathysaurus. Canadian Journal of Zoology 63(3): 623-672

Common Name References

Gomon, M.F., Glover, C.J.M. & Kuiter, R.H. (eds) 1994. The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. Adelaide : State Printer 992 pp. 810 figs. [268] (Deepsea Lizardfishes)

Russell, B.C. 1999. Families Synodontidae, Bathysauridae. pp. 1928-1947 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. [1946] (FAO) (Deepsea Lizardfishes)

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