the coelacanth
DESCRIPTION
The Coelacanth. Order: Coelacanthiformes Family: Latimeriidae. Why is the Coelacanth so popular?. Coelacanth Structure. Coelacanth Habits. Nocturnal, feed at night by drifting in currents above the bottom Aggregate and rest in caves (150-250m.) during the day. Sturgeons. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Coelacanth, Sturgeons and Tarpons
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The Coelacanth Order: Coelacanthiformes
• Family: Latimeriidae
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Why is the Coelacanth so popular?
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Coelacanth Structure
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Coelacanth Habits Nocturnal, feed at
night by drifting in currents above the bottom
Aggregate and rest in caves (150-250m.) during the day
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Sturgeons Class Actinopterygii
• Subclass Chondrosteio Family Acipenseridae
Species:• Shortnose Sturgeon
(Acipenser brevirostrum)
• Atlantic Sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrhynchus)
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Sturgeon Characteristics Cartilaginous skeleton, heterocercal caudal fin, and
spiral valve intestine 5 rows of bony scutes Highly protrusible mouth, preceded with barbels
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Sturgeon Habits Benthic cruisers, using barbels and electrical organs in the snout to detect
prey Large size, slow growth, and long lived Highly fecund
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Migrations Anadromous species Beluga Sturgeon (Huso huso) migrates 1,500 miles
up the Danube and Volga rivers. (Russian Caviar)
Prices
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Species of Concern Shortnose Sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) Atlantic Sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrhynchus)
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Tarpon and Ladyfish Class
Actinopterygii• Family Elopidae
Common species:• Tarpon (Megalops
atlanticus)• Ladyfish (Elops
saurus)
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Elopidae Characteristics Streamlined predators with large
cycloid scales and deeply forked tails
Elops saurus
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Elopidae Characteristics Found in shallow, marine water
• Occasionally freshwater
Megalops atlanticus
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Elopidae Reproduction Leptocephalus
larvae• Planktonic, thin
and transparent• Leaf-like body
allows direct nutrient absorption
Females are highly fecund