Family GIGANTURIDAE
Telescope Fishes, Telescopefishes
Compiler and date details
16 July 2016 - John R. Paxton, Jennifer E. Gates, Dianne J. Bray & Douglass F. Hoese
John R. Paxton, Jennifer E. Gates & Dianne J. Bray
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
| Published | As part of group | Action Date | Action Type | Compiler(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12-Feb-2010 | (import) |