Australian Biological Resources Study

Australian Faunal Directory

Osteoglossidae

Osteoglossidae

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CAAB: 37088000

Family OSTEOGLOSSIDAE

Bony Tongues, Bony-tongued Fishes, Saratoga


Compiler and date details

21 November 2011 - Gerald R. Allen, Norbert J. Cross & Douglass F. Hoese

Introduction

The Osteoglossidae comprise 10 species belonging to four genera (Pouyaud et al. 2003). Some workers, however, place Heterotis and Arapima in a separate family, the Arapimidae. Recently, Nelson (2006) reported eight species in five genera for the family and assigned Pantodon, previously in its own family, to Osteoglossidae. In Australia, one genus and two species are present in the north.

Bony tongues are distributed in tropical fresh waters of Australia, South East Asia, Africa and South America. They inhabit freshwater tributaries and larger rivers. They feed on aquatic and terrestrial insects, small fishes and crustaceans. The female incubates her brood of 50–200 young in the oral cavity. The maximum size is about 80 cm.

Nelson (1994, 2006) summarised knowledge on relationships of and within the group. The Australian species are discussed and illustrated by Allen & Boeseman (1982) and Allen et al. (2002).

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
06-Feb-2012 06-Feb-2012 MODIFIED
12-Feb-2010 (import)