Introduction

Baldwin & Johnson (1996) defined the suborder Giganturoidei. Wiley & Johnson (2010) followed that classification. It comprises two families of fishes found in mesopelagic and benthic environments of the continental slope in all oceans. Davis (2010) included this group in the suborder Alepisauroidei as a supefamily Ipnopoidea along with the Bathysauropsidae, Bathysauroididae and Ipnopidae.

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.

Davis, M.P. 2010. Evolutionary relationships of the Aulopiformes (Euteleostei: Cyclosquamata): a molecular and total evidence approach. pp. 431-470 in Nelson, J.S., Schultze, H.-P. & Wilson, M.V.H. Origin and Phylogenetic Interrelationships of Teleosts. München, Germany : Verlag Dr. Friedrich Pfeil 480 pp.

Wiley, E.O. & Johnson, G.D. 2010. A teleost classification based on monophyletic groups. pp. 123-182 in Nelson, J.S., Schultze, H.-P. & Wilson, M.V.H. Origin and Phylogenetic Interrelationships of Teleosts. München, Germany : Verlag Dr. Friedrich Pfeil 480 pp.

History of changes

Introduction

The Giganturidae comprise a single genus of telescope fishes with two species. Both species occur in Australian waters.

Giganturids are meso- and bathypelagic in tropical and subtropical waters of all oceans. They are specialised predators of other deepsea fishes. Telescope fishes are distinguished by having tubular, forward-directed eyes, a large mouth which extends far behind the eye, a pectoral fin with 30–43 rays inserted horizontally high on body, a highly distensible stomach and a caudal fin with a very elongate lower lobe. Maximum size is more than 22 cm standard length.

The giganturids were revised by Johnson & Bertelsen (1991). The biology of the family was discussed by Walters (1961). Johnson (1984) summarised the development and relationships of the group. 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. 1984. Giganturidae: development and relationships. pp. 199-201 fig. 105 in Moser, H.G. et al. (eds). Ontogeny and Systematics of Fishes. American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists. Special Publication 1: 1-760

Johnson, R.K. & Bertelsen, E. 1991. The fishes of the family Giganturidae: systematics, distribution and aspects of biology. Dana Reports 91: 1-45

Walters, V. 1961. A contribution to the biology of the Giganturidae, with description of a new genus and species. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard 125(10): 297-319 figs 1-7

Common Name References

Paxton, J.R. & Niem, V.H. 1999. Families Paralepididae, Anotopteridae, Evermannellidae, Omosudidae, Alepisauridae, Giganturidae. pp. 1948-1954 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. [1954] (FAO) (Telescope Fishes)

History of changes

• Gigantura Brauer, A. 1901. Über einige von der Valdivia-Expedition gesammelten Tiefseefische und ihre Augen. Sitzungsberichte der Gesellschaft zur Beförderung der Gesamten Naturwissenschaften du Marburg 8: 115-130 figs 1-3 [128].

  Type species:

   Gigantura chuni Brauer, 1901 by monotypy.

Distribution

States

Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Circumglobal.

IMCRA

Northeast Transition (19), Cape Province (20), Northwest Transition (3)

Other Regions

Coral Sea Islands Territory

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • Western Australia: W oceanic

General References

Johnson, R.K. & Bertelsen, E. 1991. The fishes of the family Giganturidae: systematics, distribution and aspects of biology. Dana Reports 91: 1-45

History of changes

• Gigantura chuni Brauer, A. 1901. Über einige von der Valdivia-Expedition gesammelten Tiefseefische und ihre Augen. Sitzungsberichte der Gesellschaft zur Beförderung der Gesamten Naturwissenschaften du Marburg 8: 115-130 figs 1-3 [128].

  Type data:

   Holotype ZMB 17703 (missing), Gulf of Guinea [2°36´N, 3°27´E].

Distribution

States

Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

North of Port Hedland, WA (18°27'S, 116°33'E); tropical, circumglobal.

IMCRA

Northwest Transition (3)

Ecological Descriptors

Mesopelagic.

General References

John R. Paxton, Jennifer E. Gates & Dianne J. Bray 2006. Family Giganturidae. pp. 500-501 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. [501]

Johnson, R.K. & Bertelsen, E. 1991. The fishes of the family Giganturidae: systematics, distribution and aspects of biology. Dana Reports 91: 1-45

Paxton, J.R., Hoese, D.F., Allen, G.R. & Hanley, J.E. (eds) 1989. Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Pisces: Petromyzontidae to Carangidae. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service Vol. 7 665 pp. [245]

Common Name References

Fishbase 2004. Fishbase at. http://www.fishbase.org/Summary. (Fishbase, AFS) (Gigantura)

Seafood Services Australia 2008. Australian Fish Names Standard. http://www.fishnames.com.au/. (Chun's Telescopefish)

History of changes

• Gigantura chuni indica Brauer, A. 1901. Über einige von der Valdivia-Expedition gesammelten Tiefseefische und ihre Augen. Sitzungsberichte der Gesellschaft zur Beförderung der Gesamten Naturwissenschaften du Marburg 8: 115-130 figs 1-3 [129] [as a new form].

  Type data:

   Lectotype ZMB 17704, north-west of the Chagos Island, Indian Ocean.
  Paralectotype(s) whereabouts unknown.

  Subsequent designation references:

  Johnson, R.K. & Bertelsen, E. 1991. The fishes of the family Giganturidae: systematics, distribution and aspects of biology. Dana Reports 91: 1-45 [20].

Generic Combinations

• Rosaura indica (Brauer, 1901). —
  Paxton, J.R., Hoese, D.F., Allen, G.R. & Hanley, J.E. (eds) 1989. Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Pisces: Petromyzontidae to Carangidae. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service Vol. 7 665 pp. [245] (changed combination cited)
• Gigantura indica Brauer, 1901. —
  Johnson, R.K. & Bertelsen, E. 1991. The fishes of the family Giganturidae: systematics, distribution and aspects of biology. Dana Reports 91: 1-45 [30] (recognised as distinct species and placed back in Gigantura)

Distribution

States

Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

North of Port Hedland, WA (18°08'S, 116°43'E) and east of Cape York (11°44'S, 144°48'E) to east of Cairns (16°50'S, 147°03'E), QLD; tropical, circumglobal.

IMCRA

Northeast Transition (19), Cape Province (20), Northwest Transition (3)

Ecological Descriptors

Mesopelagic.

General References

John R. Paxton, Jennifer E. Gates & Dianne J. Bray 2006. Family Giganturidae. pp. 500-501 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. [501]

Johnson, R.K. & Bertelsen, E. 1991. The fishes of the family Giganturidae: systematics, distribution and aspects of biology. Dana Reports 91: 1-45

Paxton, J.R., Hoese, D.F., Allen, G.R. & Hanley, J.E. (eds) 1989. Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Pisces: Petromyzontidae to Carangidae. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service Vol. 7 665 pp. [245] (as Rosaura indica)

Common Name References

Fishbase 2004. Fishbase at. http://www.fishbase.org/Summary. (Fishbase, AFS) (Telescopefish)

Seafood Services Australia 2008. Australian Fish Names Standard. http://www.fishnames.com.au/. (Indian Telescopefish)

History of changes

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)

History of changes

• Bathysaurus Günther, A. 1878. Preliminary notices of deep-sea fishes collected during the voyage of H.M.S. Challenger. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 5 2(2, 22, 28): 17-28, 179-187, 248-251 [181].

  Type species:

   Bathysaurus ferox Günther, 1878 by subsequent designation, see Jordan, D.S. 1919. The genera of fishes. Part 3. Stanford University Publications, University Series 39: 285-410 [395].

Distribution

States

New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Temperate, Atlantic Indo-west Pacific.

IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Lord Howe Province (14), Central Western Province (6), Southwest Transition (7), Southern Province (8), West Tasmania Transition (9)

General References

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

History of changes

• Bathysaurus ferox Günther, A. 1878. Preliminary notices of deep-sea fishes collected during the voyage of H.M.S. Challenger. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 5 2(2, 22, 28): 17-28, 179-187, 248-251 [182].

  Type data:

   Holotype BMNH 1887.12.7.191, east coast of New Zealand.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

E of Crowdy Bay, NSW (31°46'S) to south Shark Bay, WA, also Lord Howe Ridge in the Tasman Sea; temperate, Atlantic Indo-west Pacific.

IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Lord Howe Province (14), Central Western Province (6), Southwest Transition (7), Southern Province (8), West Tasmania Transition (9)

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, continental slope.

General References

Gomon, M.F. 1994. Families Bathysauridae, Harpadontidae. pp. 268-271 figs 240-241 in Gomon, M.F., Glover, C.J.M. & Kuiter, R.H. (eds). The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. Adelaide : State Printer 992 pp. 810 figs. [269]

Gomon, M.F. 2008. Family Bathysauridae: Deepsea Lizardfishes. pp. 261-262 in Gomon, M.F., Bray, D.J. & Kuiter, R.H. (eds). Fishes of Australia's Southern Coast. Sydney : Reed New Holland 928 pp. [262]

Paxton, J.R., Gates, J.E. & Hoese, D.F. 2006. Bathysauridae. pp. 502-503 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. [502]

Paxton, J.R., Hoese, D.F., Allen, G.R. & Hanley, J.E. (eds) 1989. Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Pisces: Petromyzontidae to Carangidae. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service Vol. 7 665 pp. [241]

Russell, B.C. 2015. Family Bathysauridae. pp. 607-608 in Roberts, C.D., Stewart, A.L. & Struthers, C.D. The Fishes of New Zealand. Wellington : Te Papa Press Vol. 3 pp. 577-1152. [608]

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. [269] (Deepsea Lizardfish)

Seafood Services Australia 2008. Australian Fish Names Standard. http://www.fishnames.com.au/. (Deepsea Lizardfish)

History of changes