Anotopterus
| Anotopterus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Anotopterus sp. (2008) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Aulopiformes |
| Family: | Anotopteridae |
| Genus: | Anotopterus Zugmayer, 1911 |
The daggertooths (genus Anotopterus) are a genus of aulopiform fish, the sole genus of the family Anotopteridae. They are found in oceans worldwide, but prefer cooler waters.[1]
Daggertooths are similar to the related lancetfishes in appearance, with a large mouth and dagger-like teeth. However, as their scientific name (meaning "without fins on its back") suggests, they lack the large dorsal fins of the lancetfishes. They grow to as long as 147 cm (4.82 ft).
Species
The currently recognized species in this genus are: [2]
- Anotopterus nikparini Kukuev, 1998 (North Pacific daggertooth)
- Anotopterus pharao Zugmayer, 1911 (daggertooth)
- Anotopterus vorax (Regan, 1913) (south ocean daggertooth)
A possible fourth species was discovered in 2008, but has yet to receive a taxonomic name.[3]
References
- ↑ Johnson, R.K. & Eschmeyer, W.N. (1998). Paxton, J.R. & Eschmeyer, W.N., ed. Encyclopedia of Fishes. San Diego: Academic Press. p. 126. ISBN 0-12-547665-5.
- ↑ Froese, Rainer, and Daniel Pauly, eds. (2012). Species of Anotopterus in FishBase. February 2012 version.
- ↑ Stewart, Andrew. "Science report: Denizens of the deep: daggertooth and stareater." NZ IPY-CAML Voyage 2008. 2008. Ministry of Fisheries. Crown Copyright: 2008.