The longbill spearfish (Tetrapturus pfluegeri) is a species of marlin native to the Atlantic Ocean where it is found above the thermocline in open waters between 40°N and 35°S.[1] This species can reach a length of 254 centimetres (100 in) FL and the maximum weight recorded is 58 kilograms (128 lb).[2] It feeds on pelagic fishes such as needlefish, tuna, and jack, as well as squids. They spawn once a year. The specific name honours the Florida game fisherman and taxidermist Albert Pflueger Sr, who died in 1962.[3]
Longbill spearfish | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Istiophoriformes |
Family: | Istiophoridae |
Genus: | Tetrapturus |
Species: | T. pfluegeri
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Binomial name | |
Tetrapturus pfluegeri C. R. Robins & de Sylva, 1963
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Description
editThe longbill spearfish is a blueish black color from above, and silvery-white and brown on the sides. The pectorals are blackish-brown and the dorsal fins are dark blue.
References
edit- Robins, Richard P.; Donald P. de Sylva (1963). "A New Western Atlantic Spearfish, Tetrapturus Pfluegeri, with a Redescription of the Mediterranean Spearfish Tetrapturus Belone". Bulletin of Marine Science. 13 (1): 84–122.
- ^ a b Collette, B.; Amorim, A.F.; Boustany, A.; Carpenter, K.E.; de Oliveira Leite Jr.; N.; Fox, W.; Fredou, F.L.; Graves, J.; Viera Hazin, F.H.; Juan Jorda, M.; Minte Vera, C.; Miyabe, N.; Nelson, R.; Oxenford, H.; Teixeira Lessa, R.P.; Pires Ferreira Travassos, P.E. (2011). "Tetrapturus pfluegeri". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2011: e.T170307A6738137. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T170307A6738137.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- ^ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Tetrapturus pfluegeri". FishBase. August 2013 version.
- ^ "Biographical Etymology of Marine Organism Names. P". Hans.G.Hansson. Retrieved 13 May 2018.