family scombridae
DESCRIPTION
Family Scombridae. Mackerels and Tunas Common species: King Mackerel ( Scomberomorus cavalla ) Spanish Mackerel ( Scomberomorus maculatus ) Little Tunny ( Euthynnus alletteratus ) Bluefin Tuna ( Thunnus thynnus ). Yellowfin Tuna. Constitute < 10% of the worlds total catch by weight. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Scombridae & Scorpaenidae 1
Family Scombridae• Mackerels and Tunas• Common species:
o King Mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla)
o Spanish Mackerel (Scomberomorus maculatus)
o Little Tunny (Euthynnus alletteratus)
o Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus) Yellowfin Tuna
Scombridae & Scorpaenidae 2
Scombridae Characteristics• Constitute < 10%
of the worlds total catch by weight
• Top carnivores of the epipelagic zone in both tropical and subtropical seaso Capture through
high speed swimming (Thunniform swimming)
Scombridae & Scorpaenidae 3
Thunniform Swimming
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Heat Exchangers• Typical ectothermic
fisho From the heart, blood
enters the gills where it becomes the same temp. as the surrounding water
o Passes to the core of the body cooling the core temperature of the fish
• Endothermico Swimming muscles
are close to the body core and heat exchangers (rete mirabile)conserve generated heat
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King & Spanish Mackerel
King Mackerel
Spanish Mackerel
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Little Tunny• Fast growing
species o 1 year = 14”o 4 years = 30”
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Bluefin Tuna• Undergo extensive
migrations for feeding and reproduction
• Speculation on the two stock theory in the Atlantic and Mediterranean
Scombridae & Scorpaenidae 9
Family Scorpaenidae• Scorpionfishes &
Rockfishes• Common species:
o Spotted Scorpionfish (Scorpaena plumieri)
o Spinycheek Scorpionfish (Neomerinthe hemingwayi)
Spotted Scorpionfish
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Scorpaenid Characteristics• Most spp. are
similar in appearance
• Large head, mouth, eyes, and pectoral fins
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Scorpaenid Venom
Some spp. aggressively angle spines towards humans
The neurotoxin can be injected by means of venom glands at the base of hypodermic needle-like spines
Stonefish have deadly venom
Most spp. possess toxic spines in dorsal, anal, and pelvic fins
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Scorpaenidae Spines
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Venomous Scorpaenids
Lionfish
Stonefish
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Rockfish & Ocean Perch• Pacific coast
specieso Commercially
viable but slow growth rate makes them overexploited
o Most spp. average 25-50 years old and can reach 140 years