Gomon's Hagfish, Eptatretus gomoni Mincarone & Fernholm 2010
Gomon's Hagfish, trawled in 700 metres near Ashmore Reef, off WA. Source: Source: Dianne Bray / Museum Victoria; Rights CC by (Atribution). License:
Summary:
Known only from two specimens collected off Western Australia. Gomon's Hagfish differs from all other Australian hagfishes in having eight pairs of gill pouches, three-cusp multicusps on the anterior and two-cusp multicusps on the posterior row of cusps.
Cite this page as:
Bray, D.J. 2018, Eptatretus gomoni in Fishes of Australia, accessed 26 Apr 2024, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/4764
Gomon's Hagfish, Eptatretus gomoni Mincarone & Fernholm 2010
More Info
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Distribution |
Endemic to Western Australia from off Shark Bay to off Exmouth, at depths of 260-705 m. Inhabits soft bottom areas. |
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Features |
Three-cusp multicusps on the anterior and two-cusp multicusps on the posterior row of cusps. Anterior unicusps (left/right) 11/10 (10/10). Posterior unicusps (left/right) 9/10 (10/10). Total cusps 50 (50). Prebranchial pores 13 (12). Branchial pores 7 (8). Trunk pores 57 (58). Tail pores 14 (15). Total pores 91 (93). |
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Size |
To 79 cm |
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Colour |
Purplish-brown with a dark caudal fin in life; brown in preservative with a pale margin to the gill apertures and ventral finfold; caudal finfold darker. |
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Feeding |
Hagfishes are mostly scavengers. |
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Biology |
The sexes are separate and fertilization is external. Hagfishes lay large demersal eggs. |
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Fisheries |
Of no interest to fisheries. |
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Similar Species |
Eptatretus gomoni differs from all other members of the genus by having the following combination of characters: eight pairs of gill pouches; three-cusp multicusps on the anterior and two-cusp multicusps on the posterior row of cusps; anterior unicusps 10–11; posterior unicusps 9–10; total cusps 50; prebranchial pores 12–13; branchial pores 7–8; trunk pores 57–58; tail pores 14–15; total pores 91–93; no nasal-sinus papillae. |
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Etymology |
The species is named after Martin F. Gomon, Senior Curator of Fishes at Museums Victoria, in recognition of his distinguished contributions to ichthyology. |
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Species Citation |
Eptatretus gomoni Mincarone & Fernholm 2010, J. Fish Biol. 77:794, Figs. 2E, 7-8. Type locality: West of Shark Bay-Exmouth, Western Australia, Australia, depth 260 metres (trap). |
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Author |
Bray, D.J. 2018 |
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Resources |
