Zu elongatus
| Zu elongatus | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Division: | Teleostei |
| Order: | Lampriformes |
| Family: | Trachipteridae |
| Genus: | Zu |
| Species: | Z. elongatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Zu elongatus Heemstra & Kannemeyer, 1984 | |
Zu elongatus, or the taper-tail ribbonfish, is a species of ray-finned fish within the family Trachipteridae.[2] The species distribution is poorly known, and while it likely lives in temperate and tropical waters of all oceans, but has only been encountered in the Atlantic Ocean- off the coasts of Namibia and the western Cape of South Africa- and in the Pacific Ocean off New Zealand.[1][3] It inhabits mesopelagic waters up to 1,200 metres (3,940 ft) below sea level.[4] Other common names for this species include "scalloped dealfish" and spitsstert-lintvis in Afrikaans.[1]
Biology
Zu elongatus grows to a length of 120 centimetres (47 in) and has a silvery grey coloration with bars along the sides. The pelvic fins of adults are bright red.[3][4] The dorsal fins lack spines but are composed of 142-147 soft rays. Juveniles are epipelagic, spending time near the surface, and have trailing, elongated dorsal and pelvic fins that mimic siphonophores and jellyfish.[4][1] The diet of the species consists of crustaceans, small fish and squid. Eggs of Zu elongatus are large and free floating with a bright red coloration.[1]
When preserved in alcohol, the bodies of adults are generally tan in color, with a dark triangular area on the front of the head that extends onto the lips and the gular area.[5] The posterior part of the dorsal fin and caudal fin are black, to the base of the latter is pale.[5]
Conservation
Zu elongatus has been classified as a 'Least concern' species by the IUCN Red List, as despite having little information about its population and ecology, there are no major threats to any of its populations.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Knudsen, S. (2015). "Zu elongatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2015 e.T21112742A21909603. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T21112742A21909603.en. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
- ↑ "Zu elongatus Heemstra & Kannemeyer, 1984". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 2022-12-10.
- 1 2 Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Zu elongatus". FishBase. December 2022 version.
- 1 2 3 "Zu elongatus". fishesofaustralia.net.au. Retrieved 2022-12-10.
- 1 2 Heemstra, P.C. and S.X. Kannemeyer (1986). "Trachipteridae". In M.M. Smith and P.C. Heemstra (eds.). Smiths' sea fishes. Berlin: Springer-Verlag. pp. 399–402.