Velvet whalefish: Difference between revisions
Content deleted Content added
GrahamBould (talk | contribs) mNo edit summary |
|||
| Line 12: | Line 12: | ||
}} |
}} |
||
The '''velvet whalefish''' |
The '''velvet whalefish''', ''Barbourisia rufa'', is a deep-sea [[whalefish]], the sole member of its family '''Barbourisiidae'''. It is found throughout the tropical and temperate parts of the world's oceans, at depths of 300 to 2,000 m. |
||
Like other whalefishes, it has a generally [[whale]]-shaped body, small pectoral and pelvic fins, and dorsal and anal fins set far back. Body and fins are covered with tiny [[spicule]]s, resulting in a [[velvet]]y feel that inspires the name. Color is an overall red or orange. The mouth is large, extending well behind the eyes, and the lower jaw projects beyond the upper jaw. The largest recorded specimen was 34.5 cm. |
Like other whalefishes, it has a generally [[whale]]-shaped body, small pectoral and pelvic fins, and dorsal and anal fins set far back. Body and fins are covered with tiny [[spicule]]s, resulting in a [[velvet]]y feel that inspires the name. Color is an overall red or orange. The mouth is large, extending well behind the eyes, and the lower jaw projects beyond the upper jaw. The largest recorded specimen was 34.5 cm. |
||
Revision as of 14:24, 7 July 2006
| Velvet whalefish | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| Order: | |
| Family: | Barbourisiidae
|
| Genus: | Barbourisia
|
| Species: | B. rufa
|
| Binomial name | |
| Barbourisia rufa Parr, 1945
| |
The velvet whalefish, Barbourisia rufa, is a deep-sea whalefish, the sole member of its family Barbourisiidae. It is found throughout the tropical and temperate parts of the world's oceans, at depths of 300 to 2,000 m.
Like other whalefishes, it has a generally whale-shaped body, small pectoral and pelvic fins, and dorsal and anal fins set far back. Body and fins are covered with tiny spicules, resulting in a velvety feel that inspires the name. Color is an overall red or orange. The mouth is large, extending well behind the eyes, and the lower jaw projects beyond the upper jaw. The largest recorded specimen was 34.5 cm.
Little is known of their habits, but they are believed to feed on crustaceans.
References
- "Barbourisia rufa". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. 18 April.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=and|year=/|date=mismatch (help) - Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2005). "Barbourisia rufa" in FishBase. November 2005 version.
- A. E. Parr, "Barbourisidae, a new family of deep sea fishes". Copeia 1945 pp. 127-129