Symphurus

Symphurus
Northern tonguefish, Symphurus pusillus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Pleuronectiformes
Family: Cynoglossidae
Genus: Symphurus
Rafinesque, 1810
Species
(see text)

Symphurus is the most speciose genus of tonguefish, family Cynoglossidae. They are distinguished by merged dorsal, caudal, and anal fins, the absence of a lateral line and pectoral fins, and the presence of only one pelvic fin. They are sinistral flatfishes, meaning that as adults their craniums are asymmetrical with both eyes on the left side. The largest species grows to 30 cm long.[1]

Species

References

  1. ^ Tyler, J. (2005). Distribution, population characteristics and trophic ecology of a sulphophilic hydrothermal vent tonguefish (Pleuronectiformes: Cynoglossidae) M.Sc. Thesis. University of Victoria: Canada.