Sea toad

Sea toad
Chaunacops cf. melanostomus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Actinopterygii
Order:Lophiiformes
Suborder:Chaunacoidei
Family:Chaunacidae
Genera

Chaunacops
Chaunax

The sea toads and coffinfishes are a family of deep-sea anglerfishes known as the Chaunacidae.[1]

These are bottom-dwelling fishes found on the continental slopes of the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans,[2] at depths to at least 2,460 m (8,070 ft). Of the two genera in the family, Chaunacops typically occurs at deeper depths than Chaunax, but with considerable overlap.

Chaunax pictus

They have large, globose bodies and short, compressed tails, and are covered with small, spiny scales. The largest are about 30 cm (12 in) in length. The first dorsal fin ray is modified into a short bioluminescent lure which dangles forward over the mouth, which is turned upwards so as to be nearly vertical. The sensory canals of the lateral lines are especially conspicuous.[3] Chaunax have modified fins which resemble legs.[4]

References

  1. ↑ Froese, Rainer, and Daniel Pauly, eds. (2006). "Chaunacidae" in FishBase. February 2006 version.
  2. ↑ Bertelsen, E. & Pietsch, T.W. (1998). Paxton, J.R. & Eschmeyer, W.N., eds. Encyclopedia of Fishes. San Diego: Academic Press. p. 140. ISBN 0-12-547665-5.
  3. ↑ John H. Caruso (2005). "Chaunacidae". Tree of Life web project. Retrieved 3 April 2006.
  4. ↑ http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/ex1502/logs/apr13/apr13.html


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