Gargoyle cusk
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] 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]
| Gargoyle cusk | |
|---|---|
| Scientific 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 | |
References
- Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2012). "Xyelacyba myersi" in FishBase. June 2012 version.
- 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.
- 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.
- Bray, D.J. (2014). "Xyelacyba myersi". Fishes of Australia. Museums Victoria. Retrieved 14 July 2018.