Gargoyle cusk

Gargoyle cusk
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Ophidiiformes
Family: Ophidiidae
Subfamily: Neobythitinae
Genus: Xyelacyba
Species:
X. myersi
Binomial name
Xyelacyba myersi
Cohen, 1961

The gargoyle cusk (Xyelacyba myersi) is a species of cusk-eel from the subfamily Neobythitinae of the family Ophidiidae. This species grows to a length of 57 centimetres (22 in) TL. It is the only known member of its genus, although research suggests the species should be classified in the genus Acanthonus.[1][2]

Etymology

The specific name honours George S. Myers (1905-1985) of Stanford University who taught the describer, Daniel Cohen, ichthyology.[3] It is a rare benthopelagic fish which occurs at depths of 984–2,500 metres (3,228–8,202 ft) around the world, other than the eastern Pacific, in tropical and subtropical latitudes.[4] The larvae are similar in overall form to the related bony-eared assfish, but have the 1–4 and 15–20 pectoral-fin rays elongated.[2]

References

  1. ^ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Xyelacyba myersi". FishBase. June 2012 version.
  2. ^ a b Girard, Matthew G.; Nonaka, Ai; Baldwin, Carole C.; Johnson, G. David (2024). "Discovery and description of elaborate larval cusk-eels and the relationships among Acanthonus, Tauredophidium, and Xyelacyba (Teleostei: Ophidiidae)". Early Life History and Biology of Marine Fishes: Research Inspired by the Work of H Geoffrey Moser: 20–42. doi:10.7755/pp.24.3.
  3. ^ Nielsen, J.G.; P.R. Møller & M. Segonzac (2006). "Ventichthys biospeedoi n. gen. et sp. (Teleostei, Ophidiidae) from a hydrothermal vent in the South East Pacific" (PDF). Zootaxa. 1247: 13–24. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.1247.1.2.
  4. ^ Bray, D.J. (2014). "Xyelacyba myersi". Fishes of Australia. Museums Victoria. Retrieved 14 July 2018.


Stub icon

This Ophidiidae-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.