Australian Biological Resources Study

Australian Faunal Directory

Chirocentridae

Chirocentridae

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CAAB: 37087000

Family CHIROCENTRIDAE

Wolf Herrings, Wolf-herrings


Compiler and date details

John R. Paxton, Jennifer E. Gates & Dianne J. Bray

Introduction

Members of the Chirocentridae are found in the tropical waters of the Indian and west-central Pacific Oceans from South Africa to southern Japan and Fiji. One genus and two species are recognised. Both species have been recorded from Australia and are treated in Munroe et al. (1999).

Although related to the Clupeidae and Engraulidae, wolf herrings have large canine teeth in the jaws and lack scutes on the belly. These voracious predators may attain 1.7 m in length, although Australian specimens rarely reach 1.5 m.

Chirocentrids have not been reviewed comprehensively, although Whitehead (1974, 1985) summarised the differences between the two recognised species. Grande (1985) questioned the relationships with clupeiform fishes.

 

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)
12-Feb-2010 (import)