Introduction

The family Luvaridae comprises a single extant genus and species of pelagic fish commonly known as a Louvar. It is found in tropical and subtropical waters of the world's oceans and reaches a length of 1.8 m.

Placement of the family in the Acanthuroidei follows Tyler et al. (1989) and Leis & Richards (1984). Previous workers, including Nelson (1984) placed the family in the Scombroidei. Relationships of the family are also discussed in Bannikov & Tyler (1995).

General References

Bannikov, A.F. & Tyler, J.C. 1995. Phylogenetic revision of the fish families Luvaridae and †Kushlukiidae (Acanthuroidei), with a new genus and two new species of Eocene luvarids. Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology 81: 1-45

Leis, J.M. & Richards, J. 1984. Acanthuroidei: development and relationships. pp. 547-551 in Moser, H.G., Richards, W.J., Cohen, D.M., Fahay, M.P., Kendall Jr., A.W. & Richardson, S.L. (eds). Ontogeny and systematics of fishes. Lawrence, Kansas : American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists Vol. Special Publication No. 1 pp. 1-760.

Nelson, J.S. 1984. Fishes of the World. New York : John Wiley & Sons 523 pp. figs.

Tyler, J.C., Johnson, G.D., Nakamura, I. & Collette, B.B. 1989. Morphology of Luvarus imperialis Luvaridae), with a phylogenetic analysis of the Acanthuroidei (Pisces). Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology 485: 1-78

Common Name References

Munro, I.S.R. 1961. Handbook of Australian fishes. Nos 1–42. Australian Fisheries Newsletter 15–17, 19, 20: 1-172 [published as separates 1956–1961] [117] (Louvar)

History of changes

• Luvarus Rafinesque, C.S. 1810. Caratteri di alcuni Nouvi Generi e Nouve Specie di Animali e Piante della Sicilia con varie Osservazioni sopra i Medesimi. Sanfilippo, Palermo. 105, pl. 1-20 [22].

  Type species:

   Luvarus imperialis Rafinesque, 1810 by monotypy.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Circumglobal.

IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Central Western Province (6)

History of changes

• Luvarus imperialis Rafinesque, C.S. 1810. Caratteri di alcuni Nouvi Generi e Nouve Specie di Animali e Piante della Sicilia con varie Osservazioni sopra i Medesimi. Sanfilippo, Palermo. 105, pl. 1-20 [22].

  Type data:

   Status unknown, whereabouts unknown, Sicily, Mediterranean.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Off Coffs Harbour (30°18'S) to Bermagui (36°25'S), NSW and off Rottnest Island (32°00'S), WA; subtropical, temperate, circumglobal.

IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Central Western Province (6)

Ecological Descriptors

Oceanic province, pelagic.

General References

Bannikov, A.F. & Tyler, J.C. 1995. Phylogenetic revision of the fish families Luvaridae and †Kushlukiidae (Acanthuroidei), with a new genus and two new species of Eocene luvarids. Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology 81: 1-45 [20]

Hutchins, J.B. & Swainston, R. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete field guide for anglers and divers. Perth : Swainston Publishing 180 pp. [100, 141]

McCulloch, A.R. 1929. A check-list of the fishes recorded from Australia. Part II. Memoirs of the Australian Museum 5: 145–329 [265]

Munro, I.S.R. 1961. Handbook of Australian fishes. Nos 1–42. Australian Fisheries Newsletter 15–17, 19, 20: 1-172 [published as separates 1956–1961] [117] (777)

Pepperell, J. 2010. Fishes of the Open Ocean a Natural History & Illustrated Guide. Sydney : University of New South Wales Press Ltd 266 pp. [250]

Tyler, J.C., Johnson, G.D., Nakamura, I. & Collette, B.B. 1989. Morphology of Luvarus imperialis Luvaridae), with a phylogenetic analysis of the Acanthuroidei (Pisces). Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology 485: 1-78

Whitley, G.P. 1940. The second occurrence of a rare fish (Luvarus) in Australia. Records of the Australian Museum 50(5): 325-326

Whitley, G.P. 1964. A survey of Australian Ichthyology. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 89(1): 11-127 [48] (1425)

Common Name References

Hutchins, J.B. & Swainston, R. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete field guide for anglers and divers. Perth : Swainston Publishing 180 pp. [141] (Luvaru)

Munro, I.S.R. 1961. Handbook of Australian fishes. Nos 1–42. Australian Fisheries Newsletter 15–17, 19, 20: 1-172 [published as separates 1956–1961] [117] (Louvar)

Pollard, J. (ed.) 1980. G.P. Whitley's Handbook of Australian Fishes. North Sydney : Jack Pollard Publishing Pty Ltd 629 pp. [225] (Loo, Silver King)

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

History of changes