Saccopharyngiformes

Life-forms

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Cladus: Unikonta
Cladus: Opisthokonta
Cladus: Holozoa
Regnum: Animalia
Subregnum: Eumetazoa
Cladus: Bilateria
Cladus: Nephrozoa
Superphylum: Deuterostomia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Infraphylum: Gnathostomata
Megaclassis: Osteichthyes
Superclassis/Classis: Actinopterygii
Classis/Subclassis: Actinopteri
Subclassis/Infraclassis: Neopterygii
Infraclassis: Teleostei
Megacohors: Elopocephalai
Supercohors: Elopocephala
Cohors/Superordo: Elopomorpha
Ordo: Saccopharyngiformes
Familia: Cyematidae - Saccopharyngidae - Eurypharyngidae - Monognathidae

Vernacular names
English: gulper eel
日本語: フウセンウナギ目
References

Ho, H-C., Smith, D.G., McCosker, J.E. & Holleman, W. 2015. Systematics and biodiversity of eels (orders Anguilliformes and Saccopharyngiformes) of Taiwan. Zootaxa 4060(1): 1–189. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4060.1.1. Full article (PDF) ISBN 978-177557-857-4 (paperback); ISBN 978-1-77557-858-1 (Online edition) Reference page.
Ho, H-C., McCosker, J.E., Smith, D.G. & Shao, K-T. 2015. Introduction to the systematics and biodiversity of eels (orders Anguilliformes and Saccopharyngiformes) of Taiwan. Zootaxa 4060(1): 5–18. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4060.1.3 Preview (PDF). Full article (PDF). Reference page.
Ho, H-C., Smith, D.G., McCosker, J.E., Hibino, Y., Loh, K-H., Tighe, K.A. & Shao, K-T. 2015. Annotated checklist of eels (orders Anguilliformes and Saccopharyngiformes) from Taiwan. Zootaxa 4060(1): 140–189. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4060.1.16 Preview (PDF). Full article (PDF). Reference page.

Ho, H-C., Holleman, W., Hilton, E.J., Smith, D.G. & McCosker, J.E. (eds.), Systematics and biodiversity of eels (orders Anguilliformes and Saccopharyngiformes) of Taiwan (II). Zootaxa, 4454(1): 1–237. Reference page.

Ho, H-C., Smith, D.G., Tighe, K.A., Hibino, Y. & McCosker, J.E. 2018. Checklist of eels of Taiwan (orders Anguilliformes and Saccopharyngiformes): An update. Pp 5–17 IN Ho, H-C., Holleman, W., Hilton, E.J., Smith, D.G. & McCosker, J.E. (eds.), Systematics and biodiversity of eels (orders Anguilliformes and Saccopharyngiformes) of Taiwan (II). Zootaxa, 4454(1): 1–237. Reference page. . Zootaxa 4454(1): 5–17. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4454.1.3 Open access PDF Reference page.

Links

Saccopharyngiformes in FishBase,
Froese, R. & Pauly, D. (eds.) 2024. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication, www.fishbase.org, version 02/2024.

The Saccopharyngiformes are a derived lineage of unusual eels within the order Anguilliformes, and includes families Cyematidae, Monognathidae, Eurypharyngidae, Saccopharyngidae, and the proposed family Neocyematidae.[1] Most of the fish in this group are deep-dwelling and rarely seen, typically known from only a handful of specimens. Species include recognizable fish such as pelican eels (also commonly known as gulper eels) and bobtail eels. Some can live deep in the ocean, well into the aphotic zone, approximately 500 to 1,800 meters (1,600 to 5,900 ft) deep. Extensive research has not been conducted on them due to being indirectly observed, with some species known only from their larvae.[1] All families except for the exceptionally rare individuals of proposed family Neoceymatidae (known only from the Atlantic Ocean) are found in all major oceans.[not verified in body]
Description

They have multiple internal differences from the rest of Anguilliformes. Notably, they have no symplectic bone, opercular bones, ribs, or swim bladders. Like many other eels, they lack scales and pelvic fins. Their myomeres (muscle segments) are V-shaped instead of W-shaped as in all other fishes, and their lateral lines have no pores, instead being modified to groups of elevated tubules. The jaws are quite large, lined with small teeth, and several types are notable for being able to consume fish larger than themselves. Some species in families Eurypharyngidae and Saccopharyngidae are bioluminescent.

Like other eels, saccopharyngids have leptocephalus larvae. However, these larvae also have a number of unusual characteristics, such as remarkably deep bodies in the Cyematidae, long lower jaws in the Eurypharyngidae, and unique pigmented swellings at the ends of the gut in Saccopharyngidae and Eurypharyngidae.[2][3]

The three established families of the suborder Saccopharyngoidei (Eupharyngidae, Monognathidae, Saccopharyngidae) all exhibit sexual dimorphism.[4]
Taxonomy

Until recently,[when?] the order "Saccopharyngiformes" was accepted as a separate order from Anguilliformes, based on their distinct morphological differences from the rest of the "true eels". Genetic work over the past few years[when?] has shown that it is instead a derived lineage within the Anguilliformes.[5]

The four (proposed five) families in two suborders are:

Suborder Cyematoidei
Cyematidae (bobtail snipe eels)
Suborder Saccopharyngoidei
Eurypharyngidae (gulpers)
Monognathidae (one-jaws)
Saccopharyngidae (swallowers)
Neocyematidae (proposed)[1]

References

Poulsen, Jan Y.; Miller, Michael J.; Sado, Tetsuya; Hanel, Reinhold; Tsukamoto, Katsumi; Miya, Masaki (2018-07-25). "Resolving deep-sea pelagic saccopharyngiform eel mysteries: Identification of Neocyema and Monognathidae leptocephali and establishment of a new fish family "Neocyematidae" based on larvae, adults and mitogenomic gene orders". PLOS ONE. 13 (7): e0199982. Bibcode:2018PLoSO..1399982P. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0199982. ISSN 1932-6203. PMC 6059418. PMID 30044814.
Orton, Grace L. (1963). "Notes on Larval Anatomy of Fishes of the Order Lyomeri". Copeia. 1963 (1): 6–15. doi:10.2307/1441268. JSTOR 1441268.
"Volume 1 and 2: Orders Anguilliformes and Saccopharyngiformes and Leptocephali | Yale University Press". yalebooks.yale.edu. Retrieved 2018-09-25.
Böhlke, Eugenia B.; Böhlke, James E.; Leiby, Mark M.; McCosker, John E.; Bertelsen, E.; Robins, Catherine H.; Robins, C. Richard; Smith, David G.; Tighe, Kenneth A. (1989). Orders Anguilliformes and Saccopharyngiformes: Part 9, Volume 1. Yale University Press. ISBN 978-1-933789-19-4. JSTOR j.ctvbcd0dm.
Santini, Francesco; Kong, Xianghui; Sorenson, Laurie; Carnevale, Giorgio; Mehta, Rita S.; Alfaro, Michael E. (2013). "A multi-locus molecular timescale for the origin and diversification of eels (Order: Anguilliformes)". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 69 (3): 884–894. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2013.06.016. ISSN 1095-9513. PMID 23831455.