Tarpon

Atlantic tarpon ( Megalops atlanticus )

The tarpon ( Megalops ) are a genus of large, primitive Genuine bone fish ( Teleostei ) living with two species worldwide in all warm oceans.

Features

Tarpon are large, silvery fish that can be 1.5 to 2.5 meters long. Your laterally flattened body covered with large scales and silvery color. The mouth is terminal, the lower jaw is facing. Between the two branches of the lower jaw is a small bone plate ( Gulare ). The gill chamber is abdominal side protected by 23 to 27 Branchiostegalstrahlen. The only dorsal fin is supported 13-21 fin rays, one of which is extended the last. The anal fin has 22 to 29 fin rays, the pelvic fins 10 or 11 The pelvic fins set very low on. Tarpon have a Conus arteriosus. A pseudobranch missing. The pores of the lateral line branch out over the scales of the lateral line system. Tarpon are the only Elopomorpha whose swim bladder extends to the head. With their help, they can absorb air and survive in oxygen-poor water. The larvae of the tarpon are transparent Leptocephaluslarven.

Species

Fossil record

Fossil evidence Megalopidae members of the family for the upper Mesozoic. Two species found in Germany are Pachtrissops from the Upper Jurassic of Solnhofen and Sendenhorstia from the Upper Cretaceous of Westphalia.