Family NETTASTOMATIDAE

Nettastomatidae

© Copyright Ros Poole.

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Introduction

The Nettastomatidae comprise six genera and approximately 42-46 species worldwide (Nelson et al. 2016; Fricke et al. 2018). The Australian fauna includes seven described species in four genera. An additional species tentatively identified as Venefica multiporosa may occur off the coast of WA however this requires confirmation.

Duckbill eels inhabit the outer continental shelf and slope of tropical, warm temperate regions of all three oceans. Maximum length is at least 36 cm.

The Nettastomatidae were reviewed by Smith & Castle (1982) based on larval characters. Smith et al. (1981) revised the genera Nettastoma and Nettenchelys, and Smith (1999) provided a key to the genera. P.H.J. Castle identified the Australian Museum specimens and gave advice for the previous family account. Smith (2008) treated species found off the southern coast.

General References

Fricke, R., Eschmeyer, W.N. & Fong, J.D. 4 September 2018. Species of Fishes by Family/Subfamily. Catalog of Fishes: Species by Family/Subfamily. Electronic version accessed 1 Oct 2018. http://researcharchive.calacademy.org/research/ichthyology/catalog/SpeciesByFamily.asp

Smith, D.G. 1989. Family Nettastomatidae. pp. 568-612 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.

Smith, D.G. 2008. Family Nettastomatidae. 180 in Gomon, M.F., Bray, D.J. & Kuiter, R.H. (eds). Fishes of Australia's Southern Coast. Sydney : Reed New Holland 928 pp.

Smith, D.G., Böhlke, J.E. & Castle, P.H.J. 1981. A revision of the nettastomatid eel genera Nettastoma and Nettenchelys (Pisces : Anguilliformes) with descriptions of six new species. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington 94(2): 535-560 figs 1-12

Smith, D.G. & Castle, P.H.J. 1982. Larvae of the nettastomatid eels : systematics and distribution. Dana Reports 90: 1-44 figs 1-33

Whitley, G.P. 1938. Studies in Ichthyology No. 11. Records of the Australian Museum 20(3): 195-199 fig. 1 pl. 21

Common Name References

Sainsbury, K.J., Kailola, P.J. & Leyland, G.G. 1984. Continental Shelf Fishes of Northern and North-Western Australia. Canberra : Fisheries Information Service 375 pp. figs & pls. [58] (Duckbill Eels)

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. [1688] (FAO) (Duckbill Eels)

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