Codlets are a family, Bregmacerotidae, of cod-like fishes, containing the single genus Bregmaceros found in tropical and subtropical waters throughout the world. They are very small fishes and even the largest, B. lanceolatus, reaches only 11.5 cm (4.5 in) in length.

Codlets
Temporal range: 48–0 Ma Middle Eocene to present[1]
Antenna codlet, Bregmaceros atlanticus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Gadiformes
Family: Bregmacerotidae
T. N. Gill, 1872
Genus: Bregmaceros
W. Thompson ex Cantor, 1840
Species

See text

Etymology

edit

Their scientific name is from Greek bregma meaning the top of the head, and keras meaning "horn"; this refers to their occipital ray (a spine emerging from the top of the head).

Fossil record

edit

Fossils of Bregmaceros are found from the Eocene to the Quaternary (age range: from 37.2 to 0.0 million years ago.). They are known from various localities in Europe, North America and South America.[2]

A potential extinct relative, Bregmacerina, is known from the Early Miocene of Russia, where it inhabited the Paratethys. It shares close similarities to Bregmaceros in the reduction of the first dorsal fin, but differs in other aspects. It remains uncertain whether it is an actual member of the Bregmacerotidae.[3]

 
Fossil of Bregmaceros species from Pliocene

Species

edit

Currently, 17 species in this genus are recognized:[4]

References

edit
  1. ^ Sepkoski, Jack (2002). "A compendium of fossil marine animal genera". Bulletins of American Paleontology. 364: 560. Archived from the original on 2009-02-20. Retrieved 2008-01-08.
  2. ^ Paleobiology Database
  3. ^ Přikryl, Tomáš; Brzobohatý, Rostislav; Gregorová, Růžena (2016-03-01). "Diversity and distribution of fossil codlets (Teleostei, Gadiformes, Bregmacerotidae): review and commentary". Palaeobiodiversity and Palaeoenvironments. 96 (1): 13–39. doi:10.1007/s12549-015-0222-z. ISSN 1867-1608.
  4. ^ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Species in genus Bregmaceros". FishBase. September 2024 version.