The abyssal halosaur (Halosauropsis macrochir) is a species of bottom-dwelling, deep-sea fish in the family Halosauridae that is found in all oceans at depths of 1100 to 3500 meters.[1][2] It is the only member of its genus.[3]

Abyssal halosaur
Abyssal halosaur, Halosauropsis macrochir
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Notacanthiformes
Family: Halosauridae
Genus: Halosauropsis
Collett, 1896
Species:
H. macrochir
Binomial name
Halosauropsis macrochir
(Günther, 1878)
Synonyms
  • Halosaurus macrochir Günther 1878
  • Aldrovandia macrochir (Günther 1878)
  • Halosaurus goodei Gill 1883
  • Halosaurus niger Gilchrist 1906

Abyssal halosaur can reach total length of at least 76 centimetres (30 in) and weight in excess of 400 grams (14 oz). Berstad et al.[2] could not sex fish smaller than 25 cm, giving an indication about length at maturation. Abyssal halosaur are long-lived, with maximum reported age of 36 years, although individuals sampled on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge were mostly <20 years. It appears to be an opportunistic feeder, mostly taking epibenthos and small fish.[2]

References

edit
  1. ^ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Halosauropsis macrochir". FishBase. June 2011 version.
  2. ^ a b c Bergstad, O. A.; Clark, L.; Hansen, H. Ø.; Cousins, N. (2012). "Distribution, population biology, and trophic ecology of the deepwater demersal fish Halosauropsis macrochir (Pisces: Halosauridae) on the mid-Atlantic ridge". PLOS ONE. 7 (2): e31493. Bibcode:2012PLoSO...731493B. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0031493. PMC 3285165. PMID 22384030.
  3. ^ "WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Halosauropsis Collett, 1896".