Symphurus is a genus of fish in the family Cynoglossidae found in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Ocean. Most species mainly occur in relatively shallow water, including estuaries. Some species are also found in deeper water, including S. thermophilus that lives at hydrothermal vents (the only flatfish known from this habitat).[1][2] These species are distinguished by merged dorsal, caudal and anal fins, the absence of a lateral line and pectoral fins, and the presence of only one pelvic fin. They are sinistral flatfishes, meaning that as adults, their crania are asymmetrical, with both eyes on the left side. The largest species grows to about 32 cm (1 ft) long.

Symphurus
Symphurus arawak
Symphurus ommaspilus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Pleuronectiformes
Family: Cynoglossidae
Subfamily: Symphurinae
Genus: Symphurus
Rafinesque, 1810
Type species
Symphurus nigrescens
Rafinesque, 1810
Synonyms
  • Ammopleurops Günther, 1862
  • Glossichthys Gill, 1861

Species

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There are currently 78 recognized species in this genus:

References

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  1. ^ Tyler, J. (2005): Distribution, population characteristics and trophic ecology of a sulphophilic hydrothermal vent tonguefish (Pleuronectiformes: Cynoglossidae). Master of Science. Thesis. University of Victoria: Canada.
  2. ^ Munroe, T.A. & Hashimoto, J. (2008): A new Western Pacific Tonguefish (Pleuronectiformes: Cynoglossidae): The first Pleuronectiform discovered at active Hydrothermal Vents. Zootaxa, 1839: 43–59.
  3. ^ a b Lee, M.-Y., Munroe, T.A. & Kai, Y. (2016): Description of a new cryptic species of tonguefish (Pleuronectiformes: Cynoglossidae: Symphurus) from shallow waters off Japan. Ichthyological Research, 64 (1): 71–83.
  4. ^ Lee, M.-Y., Munroe, T.A. & Shao, K.-T. (2014): Description of a new cryptic, shallow-water tonguefish (Pleuronectiformes: Cynoglossidae: Symphurus) from the western North Pacific Ocean. Journal of Fish Biology, 85 (3): 563–585.
  5. ^ Munroe, T.A., Tyler, J. & Tunnicliffe, V. (2011): Description and biological observations on a new species of deepwater symphurine tonguefish (Pleuronectiformes: Cynoglossidae: Symphurus) collected at Volcano–19, Tonga Arc, West Pacific Ocean. Zootaxa, 3061: 53-66.