Monognathus

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Monognathus
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M. jesperseni
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Anguilliformes
Suborder: Anguilloidei
Family: Monognathidae
Trewavas, 1937[1]
Genus: Monognathus
Bertin, 1936
Species

15, see text.

Synonyms[2]
  • Phasmatostoma Myers, 1940

Monognathus, or onejaw, is the only genus of the family Monognathidae of deep-sea eels. The name comes from the Greek monos meaning "one" and gnathos meaning "jaw", a reference to the large mouth in comparison with the rest of the fish, and also the absence of an upper jaw (maxilla and premaxilla bones are absent).[3]

Description

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The dorsal and anal fins lack bony supports and the pectoral fins are missing. The snout has a fang connected to glands, which are venomous in adults.[4] These eels are virtually blind, with rudimentary eyes and small olfactory organs, although the male olfactory organs are enlarged, perhaps suggesting a method of "sniffing out" a mate.[3]

Typical lengths are from 4 to 10 cm (1.5–4 in), the maximum length recorded is 15.9 cm (6.3 in).

Distribution

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They are found at depths of over 2,000 m (6,600 ft), and are found in all oceans.[5][3]

Species

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The fifteen known species are:[5]

References

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