Description
provided by World Register of Marine Species
Distribution: tropical and subtropical waters. Premaxilla and nasal bones extremely elongated, forming a pointed, depressed, sharp-edged sword. Gill membranes not united to isthmus. Adults scaleless. No pelvic fins and girdle. Adults lacking jaw teeth. One median keel on each side of the caudal peduncle in adults. Vertebrae 26. Maximum length 4.5 m. The morphological adaptations required for maintaining high brain and retinal temperatures are discussed in Brock et al. 1993 Science 260:210-214. Of high commercial value.
- license
- cc-by-4.0
- copyright
- WoRMS Editorial Board
