NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Gar

In American English the name gar (or garpike) is strictly applied to members of the Lepisosteus, a family including seven living species of fish in two genera that inhabit fresh, brackish, and occasionally marine, waters of eastern North America, Central America, and the Caribbean islands.^[1]^[2] For other uses, see American English (disambiguation). ... North American redirects here. ... For other uses, see Central America (disambiguation). ... West Indies redirects here. ...

Etymology

In British English the name gar was originally used for a species of needlefish, Belone belone, found in the North Atlantic, itself likely named after the Old English word gar meaning "spear".^[3] Belone belone is now more commonly referred to as the "garpike" or "gar fish" to avoid confusion with the North American gars of the family Lepisosteidae.^[4] British English (BrE, BE, en-GB) is the broad term used to distinguish the forms of the English language used in the United Kingdom from forms used elsewhere in the Anglophone world. ... For other uses, see Needlefish (disambiguation). ... Garfish (Belone belone) are a pelagic, oceanodromous needlefish found in brackish and marine waters of the Eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea. ... Old English (also called Anglo-Saxon[1], Old English: ) is an early form of the English language that was spoken in parts of what is now England and southern Scotland between the mid-fifth century and the mid-twelfth century. ...

The genus name Lepisosteus comes from the Greek lepis meaning "scale" and osteon meaning "bone".^[5] Atractosteus is similarly derived from Greek, in this case from atraktos, meaning "arrow".^[6]

Distribution

The gars are members of the Lepisosteiformes (or Semionotiformes), an ancient order of "primitive" ray-finned fish; fossil gars are known from the Permian onwards. Their primitive traits are their very hard armour-like ganoid scales, a swimming bladder open to the pharynx that can function as a lung and the heterocercal tail. Fossil gars are found in both Europe and North America, indicating that in times past these fish had a wider distribution than they do today. Gars are considered to be a remnant of a group of rather primitive bony fish that flourished in the Mesozoic, and are most closely related to the bowfin, another archaic fish now found only in North America. Orders See text The Actinopterygii are the ray-finned fish. ... For other uses, see Fossil (disambiguation). ... The Permian is a geologic period that extends from about 299. ... The pharynx (plural: pharynges) is the part of the neck and throat situated immediately posterior to the mouth and nasal cavity, and cranial, or superior, to the esophagus, larynx, and trachea. ... For the village in Tibet, see Lung, Tibet. ... classes Actinopterygii Sarcopterygii Osteichthyes (IPA: ), also called bony fish, are a taxonomic Class of fish that includes the ray-finned fish (Actinopterygii) and lobe finned fish (Sarcopterygii). ... The Mesozoic Era is one of three geologic eras of the Phanerozoic eon. ... Binomial name Amia calva Linnaeus, 1766 The bowfins are an order (Amiiformes) of primitive ray-finned fish. ...

Anatomy and morphology

Gar bodies are elongated, heavily armored with ganoid scales, and fronted by similarly elongated jaws filled with long sharp teeth. Tails are heterocercal, and the dorsal fins are close to the tail. As their vascularised swim bladders can function as lungs, most gar surface periodically to take a gulp of air, doing so more frequently in stagnant or warm water when the concentration of oxygen in the water is low. As a result, they are extremely hardy and able to tolerate conditions that would kill most other fish. John G. Shedd Aquarium is an indoor aquarium in Chicago, Illinois in the United States. ... In this SEM image of a butterfly wing the scales are clearly visible, and the tiny platelets on each individual scale are just barely visible in the striping. ... Human jaw front view Human jaw left view Human jaw top view The jaw is either of the two opposable structures forming, or near the entrance to, the mouth. ... Dorsal fin of an orca A dorsal fin is a fin located on the backs of fishes, whales, dolphins, and porpoises, as well as the (extinct) ichthyosaurs. ... The gas bladder of a Rudd The gas bladder (also fish maw, less accurately swim bladder or air bladder) is an internal organ that contributes to the ability of a fish to control its buoyancy, and thus to stay at the current water depth, ascend, or descend without having to... Water stagnation occurs when water stops flowing. ...

All the gars are relatively big fish, but the alligator gar Atractosteus spatula is the champion, as specimens having been recorded up to 3 meters in length.^[7] Even the smaller species, such as Lepisosteus oculatus, are large, commonly reaching lengths of over 60 cm (2 feet), and sometimes much more.^[8]

Ecology

Gar tend to be slow moving fish except when striking at their prey. They prefer the shallow and weedy areas of rivers, lakes, and bayous often congregating in small groups.^[9] They are voracious predators, catching their prey with their needle-like teeth, obtaining with a sideways strike of the head.^[10] Gar feed extensively on smaller fish and invertebrates such as crabs.^[11] Gar are found across eastern North America from Costa Rica to southern Quebec (for example Lepisosteus osseus).^[12] Although gar are primarily found in freshwater habitats several species enter brackish waters and a few, most notably Atractosteus tristoechus, are sometimes found in the sea.^[13]^[14] For other uses, see River (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Lake (disambiguation). ... Big Cypress Bayou in Jefferson, Texas off U.S. Route 59. ... This article is about the Canadian province. ... Brackish water is water that is saltier than fresh water, but not as salty as sea water. ...

Significance to humans

Gar flesh is edible, and sometimes available in markets, but unlike the sturgeon that they resemble, their eggs (roe) are poisonous. Several species are traded as aquarium fish.^[15] For other uses, see Sturgeon (disambiguation). ... This article is about fish eggs. ...

Cultural Significance

The Gar fish is of considerable significance to Native American peoples of the southeastern United States where the gar figures prominently in ceremonial life and music. See Creek, Seminole Look up Creek in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... For other uses, see Seminole (disambiguation). ...

References

id="External_links"> Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 111th day of the year (112th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 111th day of the year (112th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 111th day of the year (112th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 111th day of the year (112th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 111th day of the year (112th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 200th day of the year (201st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 111th day of the year (112th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 200th day of the year (201st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 111th day of the year (112th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 111th day of the year (112th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

Orders See text The Actinopterygii are the ray-finned fish. ... Phyla Subkingdom Parazoa Porifera (sponges) Subkingdom Agnotozoa Placozoa Orthonectida Rhombozoa Subkingdom Metazoa Radiata Cnidaria Ctenophora - Comb jellies Bilateria Protostomia Acoelomorpha Platyhelminthes - Flatworms Nemertina - Ribbon worms Gastrotricha Gnathostomulida - Jawed worms Micrognathozoa Rotifera - Rotifers Acanthocephala Priapulida Kinorhyncha Loricifera Entoprocta Nematoda - Roundworms Nematomorpha - Horsehair worms Cycliophora Mollusca - Mollusks Sipuncula - Peanut worms Annelida - Segmented... Typical Classes Subphylum Urochordata - Tunicates Ascidiacea Thaliacea Larvacea Subphylum Cephalochordata - Lancelets Subphylum Myxini - Hagfishes Subphylum Vertebrata - Vertebrates Petromyzontida - Lampreys Placodermi (extinct) Chondrichthyes - Cartilaginous fishes Acanthodii (extinct) Actinopterygii - Ray-finned fishes Actinistia - Coelacanths Dipnoi - Lungfishes Amphibia - Amphibians Reptilia - Reptiles Aves - Birds Mammalia - Mammals Chordates (phylum Chordata) include the vertebrates, together with... Typical classes Petromyzontidae (lampreys) Placodermi - extinct Chondrichthyes (cartilaginous fish) Acanthodii - extinct Actinopterygii (ray-finned fish) Actinistia (coelacanths) Dipnoi (lungfish) Amphibia (amphibians) Reptilia (reptiles) Aves (birds) Mammalia (mammals) Vertebrata is a subphylum of chordates, specifically, those with backbones or spinal columns. ... Classes Placodermi Chondrichthyes Acanthodii Osteichthyes Gnathostomata is the group of vertebrates with jaws. ... classes Actinopterygii Sarcopterygii Osteichthyes (IPA: ), also called bony fish, are a taxonomic Class of fish that includes the ray-finned fish (Actinopterygii) and lobe finned fish (Sarcopterygii). ... Orders See text The Actinopterygii are the ray-finned fish. ... Genera Erpetoichthys Polypterus See text for species. ... Families Acipenseridae (sturgeons) Polyodontidae (paddlefishes) Chondrosteidae extinct Errolichthyidae extinct Acipenseriformes is an order of primitive ray-finned fishes that includes the sturgeons and paddlefishes, as well as some extinct families. ... Infraclasses Holostei Teleostei See text for orders. ... Binomial name Amia calva Linnaeus, 1766 The bowfins are an order (Amiiformes) of primitive ray-finned fish. ... Families Heterotididae Pantopontidae (butterflyfishes) Singidididae (extinct) Osteoglossidae ( arowana) Ostariostomidae (extinct) Notopteridae (featherfin knifes) Gymnarchidae Mormyridae (elephantfishes) Osteoglossiformes (Lat. ... Families Hiodontidae (mooneyes) Hiodontiformes is a relatively new order of fish, consisting of the two living species of the mooneye family Hiodontidae and three genera of extinct types. ... Families Elopidae(tenpounders) Megalopidae(tarpons) Elopiformes is the order of ray-finned fish that includes the tarpons, tenpounders, and ladyfish, as well as a number of extinct types. ... Genera Albula Pterothrissa See text for species. ... Families Halosauridae Notacanthidae Notacanthiformes is an order of ray-finned fishes, consisting of the families of spiny eels (Notacanthidae) and halosaurs (Halosauridae). ... For other uses, see Eel (disambiguation). ... Families Cyematidae Eurypharyngidae Monognathidae Saccopharyngidae Saccopharyngiformes is an order of unusual ray-finned fish superficially similar to eels, but with many internal differences. ... Families Denticipitidae (denticle herring) Engraulidae (anchovies) Pristigasteridae (pristigasterids) Chirocentridae (wolf herring) Clupeidae (herrings) Clupeiformes is the order of ray-finned fish that includes the herring family, Clupeidae, and the anchovy family, Engraulidae. ... Families Chanidae(milkfish) Gonorynchidae(beaked salmons) Kneriidae(shellears) Phractolaemidae(hingemouths) Gonorynchiformes is an order of ray-finned fish that includes the important food source, the milkfish (Chanos chanos, family Chanidae), and a number of lesser-known types, both marine and freshwater. ... Families Suborder Cobitoidea Balitoridae (hillstream loaches) Catostomidae (suckers) Cobitidae (loaches) Gyrinocheilidae (algae eaters) Suborder Cyprinoidea Cyprinidae (carps and minnows) The Cypriniformes are an order of ray-finned fish, including the minnows and some related families. ... Families Acestrorhynchidae Anostomidae - Headstanders Characidae - Characins and tetras Citharinidae Ctenoluciidae - Pike-characids Curimatidae Erythrinidae - Trahiras Gasteropelecidae - Freshwater hatchetfishes Hemiodontidae Hepsetidae Lebiasinidae The Characiformes are an order of ray-finned fish, comprising the characins and their allies. ... Families Apteronotidae (ghost knifefishes) Eigenmanniidae (obsolete?) Gymnotidae (naked-back knifefishes and electric eels) Hypopomidae Rhamphichthyidae Sternopygidae The gymnotiforms are an order (Gymnotiformes) of knifefishes that have organs adapted to the exploitation of bioelectricity. ... This article is about the siluriform catfishes; for the Atlantic catfish, see Seawolf (fish); for other uses, see Catfish (disambiguation). ... Genera (see text) Salmonidae is a family of ray-finned fish, the only family of order Salmoniformes. ... Families Esocidae (pikes) Umbridae (mudminnows) Esociformes is a small order of ray-finned fish, with two families. ... Families Suborder Argeninoidei Superfamily Argentinoidea Argentinidae (herring smelts) Microstomatidae Bathylagidae (deep-sea smelts) Opisthoproctidae (barreleyes) Superfamily Alepocephaloidea Leptochilichthyidae Alepocephalidae (slickheads) Platytroctidae (Searsiidae) Suborder Osmeroidei Superfamily Osmeroidea Osmeridae (smelts) Plecoglossidae (ayu fishes) Salangidae (noodlefishes) Sundasalangidae (Sundaland noodlefishes) Superfamily Galaxoidea Retropinnidae (New Zealand smelts) Lepidogalaxiidae (salamanderfishes) Galaxiidae Osmeriformes is an order of... Species Ateleopus indicus Ateleopus japonicus Ateleopus natalensis Ateleopus purpureus Ateleopus tanabensis Guentherus altivelis Ijimaia antillarum Ijimaia dofleini Ijimaia loppei Ijimaia plicatellus Parateleopus microstomus The jellynose fishes are a small order (Ateleopodiformes) of ray-finned fish, consisting of a single family (Ateleopodidae) with about a dozen species in four genera. ... Families Suborder Gonostomatoidei Gonostomatidae - Bristlemouths Sternoptychidae - Deep-sea hatchetfishes Suborder Photichthyoidei Photichthyidae - Lightfishes Stomiidae - Barbeled dragonfishes Stomiiformes is an order of ray-finned fish that includes the dragonfishes, lightfishes, hatchetfishes, viperfishes, and loosejaws. ... Families Suborder Enchodontoidei Dercetidae (extinct) Cimolichthyidae (extinct) Prionolepididae (extinct) Enchodontidae (extinct) Eurypholidae (extinct) Halecidae (extinct) Apateopholidae (extinct) Ichthyotringidae (extinct) Suborder Giganturoidei Giganturidae (telescopefishes) Suborder Aulopoidei Aulopodidae (aulopus) Suborder Chlorophthalmoidei Chlorophthalmidae (greeneyes) Ipnopidae Scopelarchidae (pearleyes) Notosudidae (waryfishes) Suborder Alepisauroidei Synodontidae (lizardfishes) Pseudotrichonotidae Paralepididae (barracudinas) Anotopteridae (daggertooth) Evermannelidae (sabertooth fishes) Omosudidae Alepisauridae... Families Neoscopelidae Myctophidae Myctophiformes is an order of ray-finned fish consisting of two families of deep-sea marine fish, most notably the lanternfishes (Myctophidae). ... Families Turkmenidae (extinct) Veliferidae (velifers) Lamprididae (opahs) Stylephoridae (tube-eye/thread-tail) Lophotidae (crestfishes) Radiicephalidae (tapertail) Trachipteridae (ribbonfishes) Regalecidae (oarfishes) Lampriformes (also spelt Lampridiformes) are an order of ray-finned fish that includes about 50 living species of deep sea fishes, including the opahs, crestfishes, ribbonfishes, and oarfish. ... Genera Polymixia Berycopsis (extinct) Dalmatichthys (extinct) Omosoma (extinct) Omosomopsis (extinct) The beardfishes are a small family (Polymixiidae) of deep-sea marine ray-finned fish named for their pair of long hyoid barbels. ... Percopsiformes is a small order of ray-finned fish, comprising the trout-perch and its allies. ... Genera Subfamily Batrachoidinae Amphichthys Austrobatrachus Barchatus Batrichthys Batrachoides Batrachomoeus Chatrabus Halobatrachus Halophryne Opsanus Perulibatrachus Riekertia Sanopus Tharbacus Triathalassothia Subfamily Porichthyinae Aphos Porichthys Subfamily Thalassophryninae Daector Thalassophryne The toadfish are family Batrachoididae is the only family in the of ray-finned fish order Batrachoidiformes. ... Suborders Antennarioidei Lophioidei Ogcocephalioidei See text for families. ... Families Euclichthyidae (Eucla cod) Lotidae Macrouridae (grenadiers or rattails) Moridae (morid cods or moras) Melanonidae (pelagic cods) Macruronidae (southern hakes) Bregmacerotidae (codlets) Muraenolepididae (eel cods) Phycidae (phycid hakes) Merlucciidae (merluccid hakes) Gadidae (true cods) Gadiformes is an order of ray-finned fish, also called the Anacanthini, that includes the cod... Families Carapidae- Pearlfishes Ophidiidae- Cusk Eels Bythitidae- Brotulas Aphyonidae- Aphyonids Parabrotulidae- False Brotulas Ophidiiformes is an order of ray-finned fish that includes the Cusk Eels, Pearlfishes, Brotulas, and others. ... Genera Agonostomus Aldrichetta Cestraeus Cahaenomugil Chelon Crenimugil Joturus Liza Moolgarda Mugil Myxus Neomyxus Oedalechilus Rhinomugil Sicamugil Valaomugil Xenomugil The mullets are a family (Mugilidae) of ray-finned fish found worldwide in coastal temperate and tropical waters, and in some species in fresh water also. ... Families Suborder Bedotioidei Betodiidae Suborder Melanotaenioidei Melanotaeniidae (rainbowfishes) Pseudomugilidae (blue eyes) Suborder Atherinoidei Atherinidae (silversides) Notocheiridae Telmatherinidae (sailfin silversides) Dentatherinidae Phallostethidae Atheriniformes is an order of ray-finned fish that includes the silversides and several less-familiar families, including the unusual Phallostethidae. ... Families Suborder Adrianichthyoidei Adrianichthyidae - Ricefishes Suborder Belonoidei Superfamily Scomberesocoidea Belonidae - Needlefishes Scomberesocidae - Scauries Superfamily Exocoetoidea Exocoetidae - Flyingfishes Hemiramphidae - Halfbeaks Beloniformes is an order of ray-finned fish most notable for the flyingfishes and medakas. ... Families Cetomimidae Rondeletiidae Barbourisiidae Megalomycteridae Mirapinnidae The Cetomimiformes or whalefishes are an order of small, deep-sea ray_finned fish. ... Families Anablepidae (four-eyed fish) Cyprinodontidae (pupfish) Fundulidae Goodeidae Rivulinidae Poeciliidae (live-bearers) (and others) The Cyprinodontiformes is an order of ray-finned fish, also called the Microcyprini, and comprising mostly small, fresh-water fish. ... Families Melamphaidae (ridgeheads) Gibberichthyidae (gibberfishes) Stephanoberycidae (pricklefishes) Hispidoberycidae Stephanoberyciformes is an order of marine ray-finned fishes, consisting of about 40 species, mostly uncommon deep-sea types. ... Families (seven, see text) Suborder Berycoidei Berycidae -- alfonsinos, berycids Suborder Holocentroidei Holocentridae -- soldierfishes, squirrelfishes Suborder Stephanoberycoidei Suborder Trachichthyoidei Anomalopidae -- flashlight fishes, laterneye fishes Anoplogastridae -- fangtooth fishes, fangtooths Diretmidae -- spinyfins Monocentridae -- pineconefishes Trachichthyidae -- redfishes, roughies, slime heads External link http://www. ... Families Suborder Zeioidei Cyttidae Grammicolepididae Oreosomatidae(oreos) Parazenidae(parazenand allies) Zeidae(true dories) Zenionidae(Macrurocyttidae) Suborder Caproidei Caproidae(boarfishes) The Zeiformes are a small order of marine ray-finned fishes most notable for the dories, a group of common food fish. ... Families See text Gasterosteiformes is an order of ray-finned fishes that includes a number of familiar types, like the sticklebacks, pipefishes, and seahorses. ... -1... Families Synbranchidae Chaudhuriidae Mastacembelidae Synbranchiformes, often called swamp eels, is an order of ray-finned fishes that are eel-like but have spiny rays, indicating that they belong to the superorder Acanthopterygii. ... Families Balistidae - Triggerfishes Diodontidae - Porcupinefishes Molidae Monacanthidae - Filefishes Ostraciidae - Boxfishes Tetraodontidae - Pufferfishes Triacanthidae - Triplespines Triacanthodidae - Spikefishes Triodontidae - Three-toothed puffer The Tetraodontiformes are an order of highly derived ray-finned fish, also called the Plectognathi. ... Families Suborder Psettodoidei Psettodidae Suborder Pleuronectoidei Citharidae Scophthalmidae (turbots) Bothidae (lefteye flounders) Pleuronectidae (righteye flounders) Paralichthyidae (large-tooth flounders) Achiropsettidae (southern flounders) Samaridae Suborder Soleoidei Soleidae (soles) Achiridae (American soles) Cynoglossidae (tonguefishes) The flatfish are an order (Pleuronectiformes) of ray-finned fish, also called the Heterosomata, sometimes classified as a... Families See text Scorpaeniformes is an order of ray-finned fish, also called the Scleroparei, closely related to and sometimes included in the Perciformes. ... Families many, see text The Perciformes, also called the Percomorphi or Acanthopteri, include about 40% of all fish and are the largest order of vertebrates. ...

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