User:Gummycrown/Giant oarfish
Life Cycle[edit]
Much of what we know about the juvenile life cycle of R. glesne comes from artificial insemination work done in a laboratory setting. [1] This work was done in 2020 and is the first time that the cycle from fertilized eggs to larvae was observed. This study used individuals bred and raised in captivity, and began with the artificial insemination of two recently deceased individuals that died upon capture. [1]
Post-fertilization, the eggs took 18 days to hatch into larvae. They noted that the larvae appeared similar to other lampridiform larvae, facing downward with pectoral fins. The larvae then died four days later, so this study remains a look into the early life cycle, as these individuals did not reach maturity[1].
Description[edit]
This species is the world's longest bony fish, reaching a record length of 8 m (26 ft); however, unconfirmed specimens of up to 11 m (36 ft) have been reported.[2] It is commonly measured to 3 m (9.8 ft) in total length. The maximum recorded weight of a giant oarfish is 270 kg (600 lb).
Its shape is ribbonlike, narrow laterally, with a dorsal fin along its entire length from between its eyes to the tip of its tail. The fin rays are soft and may number up to 400 or more. At the head of the fish, the rays are lengthened forming a distinctive red crest. Its pectoral and pelvic fins are nearly adjacent. The pectoral fins are stubby while the pelvic fins are long, single-rayed, and reminiscent of an oar in shape, widening at the tip. Its head is small with the protrusible jaw typical of lampriformes; it has 40 to 58 gill rakers, and no teeth.
The organs of the giant oarfish are concentrated toward the head end of the body, possibly enabling it to survive losing large portions of its tail. It has no swim bladder. The liver of R. glesne is orange or red, the likely result of astaxanthin in its diet. The lateral line begins above and behind the eye then, descending to the lower third of the body, extends to the caudal tip.
The skin of R. glesne is scaleless but covered with tubercles.[3] The skin color is silver with streaks, spots or splotches of black or dark gray, and a bluish or brownish tinge on the head.[3] Its fins, including its long dorsal fin and crest, are red, again probably resulting from its diet.[3]
Article (Original)[edit]
The giant oarfish (Regalecus glesne) is a species of oarfish of the family Regalecidae. It is an oceanodromous species with a worldwide distribution, excluding polar regions. Other common names include Pacific oarfish, king of herrings, ribbonfish, and streamer fish.[1]
R. glesne is the world's longest bony fish. Its shape is ribbon-like, narrow laterally, with a dorsal fin along its entire length, stubby pectoral fins, and long, oar-shaped pelvic fins, from which its common name is derived.[4] R. glesne's head and body is silver and blue with spots of dark coloration, and its fins are crimson.[5] Its physical characteristics and its undulating mode of swimming have led to speculation that it might be the source of many "sea serpent" sightings.
Distribution[edit]
The giant oarfish has a worldwide distribution, having been found as far north as 72°N and as far south as 52°S.[6] However, the species is most commonly found in the tropics to middle latitudes.[6] It is thought to inhabit the sunlit epipelagic to dimly lit mesopelagic zones, ranging as deeply as 1,000 m (3,300 ft) below the surface.[7]
Description[edit]
This species is the world's longest bony fish, reaching a record length of 8 m (26 ft); however, unconfirmed specimens of up to 11 m (36 ft) have been reported.[8] It is commonly measured to 3 m (9.8 ft) in total length.[9]
Few R. glesne larvae have been identified and described in situ. These larvae exhibit an elongated body with rays extending from the occipital crest and a long pelvic fin.[10] Unlike the adult form of the species, the skin of the larvae is almost entirely transparent with intermittent spots of dark coloring along the organism's dorsum.[10] Additionally, the larvae possess a caudal fin with four fin rays, which is a trait not present in the adult form of the species.[10]
Adults have a ribbonlike shape that is laterally narrow, with a dorsal fin along its entire length from between its eyes to the tip of its tail. The dorsal fin rays are soft and number between 414 and 449 in total.[5] At the head of the fish, the first 10-12 of these dorsal fin rays are lengthened, forming the distinctive red crest associated with the species.[5] Its pectoral and pelvic fins are nearly adjacent. The pectoral fins are stubby while the pelvic fins are long, single-rayed, and reminiscent of an oar in shape, widening at the tip. Its head is small with the protrusible jaw typical of lampriformes.[4] The species has 33 to 47 gill rakers on the first gill arch, and no teeth.[4]
The organs of the giant oarfish are concentrated toward the head end of the body, possibly enabling it to survive losing large portions of its tail. It has no swim bladder. The liver of R. glesne is orange or red, the likely result of astaxanthin in its diet. The lateral line begins above and behind the eye then, descending to the lower third of the body, extends to the caudal tip.
Behavior[edit]
Little is known about oarfish behavior. It has been observed swimming by means of its dorsal fin, and also swimming in a vertical position.[7] In 2010, scientists filmed a giant oarfish in the Gulf of Mexico swimming in the mesopelagic layer, the first footage of a reliably identified R. glesne in its natural setting. The footage was caught during a survey, using an ROV in the vicinity of Thunder Horse PDQ, and shows the fish swimming in a columnar orientation, tail downward.
It feeds on krill and other small crustaceans, as well as small fish and squid. It is known to spawn from July to December. The eggs are 2.5 mm (0.1 in) large, and float near the surface until hatching. Its larvae are also observed near the surface during this season. As an adult, it is believed to be solitary.
Relationship with humans[edit]
R. glesne is not fished commercially, but it is an occasional bycatch in commercial nets, and as such it has been marketed.
Because they are not often seen and because of their size, elongated bodies, and appearance, giant oarfish are presumed to be responsible for some sea serpent sightings. Formerly considered rare, the species is now suspected to be comparatively common, although sightings of healthy specimens in their natural habitat are unusual.
The giant oarfish and the related R. russelii are sometimes known as "earthquake fish" because they are popularly believed to appear before and after an earthquake.[11][12]
References[edit]
- Citations
- ^ a b c d Oka, Shin-ichiro; Nakamura, Masaru; Nozu, Ryo; Miyamoto, Kei (2020-04-08). "First observation of larval oarfish, Regalecus russelii, from fertilized eggs through hatching, following artificial insemination in captivity". Zoological Letters. 6 (1): 4. doi:10.1186/s40851-020-00156-6. ISSN 2056-306X. PMC 7140580. PMID 32292594.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: PMC format (link) CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link) - ^ McClain, Craig R.; Balk, Meghan A.; Benfield, Mark C.; Branch, Trevor A.; Chen, Catherine; Cosgrove, James; Dove, Alistair D.M.; Gaskins, Leo C.; Helm, Rebecca R. (2015-01-13). "Sizing ocean giants: patterns of intraspecific size variation in marine megafauna". PeerJ. 3: e715. doi:10.7717/peerj.715. ISSN 2167-8359. PMC 4304853. PMID 25649000.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link) - ^ a b c Fox, Denis L. (1976). Animal biochromes and structural colours : physical, chemical, distributional & physiological features of coloured bodies in the animal world (2d ed ed.). Berkeley: University of California Press. ISBN 0-520-02347-1. OCLC 2095813.
{{cite book}}:|edition=has extra text (help) - ^ a b c R., Roberts, Tyson (2012). Systematics, biology, and distribution of the species of the oceanic Oarfish genus Regalecus Teleostei, Lampridiformes, Regalecidae. Publications Scientifiques du Muséum. ISBN 978-2-85653-677-3. OCLC 835964768.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b c Smith, Margaret M. (1986). Smiths' Sea Fishes. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg. p. 403. ISBN 978-3-540-16851-5.
- ^ a b W., Fischer, (1987). Fiches FAO d'identification des especes pour les besoins de la peche : Mediterranee et mer Noire. FAO. OCLC 221565695.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b Benfield, M. C.; Cook, S.; Sharuga, S.; Valentine, M. M. (2013). "Five in situ observations of live oarfish Regalecus glesne (Regalecidae) by remotely operated vehicles in the oceanic waters of the northern Gulf of Mexico: in situ observations of regalecus glesne". Journal of Fish Biology. 83 (1): 28–38. doi:10.1111/jfb.12144.
- ^ McClain, Craig R.; Balk, Meghan A.; Benfield, Mark C.; Branch, Trevor A.; Chen, Catherine; Cosgrove, James; Dove, Alistair D.M.; Gaskins, Leo C.; Helm, Rebecca R. (2015-01-13). "Sizing ocean giants: patterns of intraspecific size variation in marine megafauna". PeerJ. 3: e715. doi:10.7717/peerj.715. ISSN 2167-8359. PMC 4304853. PMID 25649000.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link) - ^ W.., Fischer, W.. Krupp, F.. Schneider, (1995). Pacifico centro-oriental. Organizacion de las naciones unidas para la agricultura y la alimentacion. ISBN 92-5-303408-4. OCLC 492126474.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b c Dragičević, Branko; Pallaoro, Armin; Grgičević, Robert; Lipej, Lovrenc; Dulčić, Jakov (2011-07-01). "On the Occurrence of Early Life Stage of the King of Herrings, Regalecus Glesne (Actinopterygii: Lampriformes: Regalecidae), in the Adriatic Sea". Acta Ichthyologica Et Piscatoria. 41 (3): 251–253. doi:10.3750/AIP2011.41.3.13.
- ^ Lallanilla, Marc (22 October 2013). "Can Oarfish Predict Earthquakes?". Livescience.com.
- ^ Yamamoto, Daiki (4 Mar 2010). "Sea serpents' arrival puzzling, or portentous?". Kyodo News. Retrieved 6 Mar 2010.
TOYAMA — A rarely seen deep-sea fish regarded as something of a mystery has been giving marine experts food for thought recently after showing up in large numbers along the Sea of Japan coast.
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Further reading[edit]
- "Regalecus glesne". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. 2 March 2013.
- Benfield, M.C.; Cook, S.; Sharuga, S.; Valentine, M. M. (July 2013). "Five in situ observations of live oarfish Regalecus glesne (Regalecidae) by remotely operated vehicles in the oceanic waters of the northern Gulf of Mexico". Journal of Fish Biology. 83 (1): 28–38. doi:10.1111/jfb.12144. PMID 23808690.
- Glover, J.C.M. (1994). Gomon, M.F.; Kuiter, R.H. (eds.). The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. Adelaide: State Print.
- Roberts, Tyson R. (2012). Systematics, Biology, and Distribution of the Species of the Oceanic Oarfish Genus Regalecus: (Teleostei, Lampridiformes, Regalecidae). French National Museum Natural History. ISBN 978-2-85653-677-3.