Coelacanth, Sturgeons and Tarpons

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The Coelacanth Order: Coelacanthiformes

• Family: Latimeriidae

Coelacanth, Sturgeons and Tarpons

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Why is the Coelacanth so popular?

Coelacanth, Sturgeons and Tarpons

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Coelacanth Structure

Coelacanth, Sturgeons and Tarpons

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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

Coelacanth, Sturgeons and Tarpons

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Sturgeons Class Actinopterygii

• Subclass Chondrosteio Family Acipenseridae

Species:• Shortnose Sturgeon

(Acipenser brevirostrum)

• Atlantic Sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrhynchus)

Coelacanth, Sturgeons and Tarpons

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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

Coelacanth, Sturgeons and Tarpons

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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

Coelacanth, Sturgeons and Tarpons

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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)

Coelacanth, Sturgeons and Tarpons

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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

Coelacanth, Sturgeons and Tarpons

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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