Back Callorhinchus callorynchus Bulgarian Peix elefant Catalan Callorhinchus callorynchus CEB Callorhinchus callorynchus Spanish Callorhinchus callorynchus EU ماهی کجبینی FA Callorhinchus callorynchus French Callorhinchus callorynchus Italian Callorhinchus callorynchus Dutch Hakonos Polish
| Callorhinchus callorynchus | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Chondrichthyes |
| Subclass: | Holocephali |
| Order: | Chimaeriformes |
| Family: | Callorhinchidae |
| Genus: | Callorhinchus |
| Species: | C. callorynchus
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| Binomial name | |
| Callorhinchus callorynchus | |
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| American elephantfish range.[2] | |
The American elephantfish (Callorhinchus callorynchus), commonly referred to as the cockfish, belongs to the family Callorhinchidae, a unique group of cartilaginous fishes. This species has a striking appearance, characterized by a silver to gray body with prominent brown spots concentrated on the dorsal half of the fish and on the fins. Subtle hues of pink are also present around areas such as the mouth and fins. Its broad pectoral fins play a critical role in stabilization, allowing the fish to maintain balance on the ocean floor, while its heterocercal tail, a feature common among cartilaginous fishes, is highly effective for maneuvering within the water column. The asymmetrical structure is essential for tasks such as ascending, descending, and making sharp turns.[3]
As one of the oldest living groups of jawed cartilaginous fishes, C. callorynchus has adapted to its habitat by benthic foraging. Benthic foraging is a method of seeking prey that entails sifting through the sludge of the ocean floor that bottom feeding fish utilize to forage for prey. Its most notable characteristic is its unique sub-terminal plough-shaped snout that is well-adapted for crushing invertebrate prey including scallops, mollusks, and other benthic invertebrates. Its strong jaws contain tooth plates, which are structures in the mouth designed to crush hard-shelled prey, making it an efficient bottom-dwelling predator. Furthermore, sexual dimorphism is present in this species, with females reaching lengths of up to 102 centimeters and males growing to about 85 centimeters. Upon birth, juveniles measure approximately 13 centimeters in length.[4]
- ^ Finucci, B.; Cuevas, J.M. (2020). "Callorhinchus callorynchus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T63107A3117894. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T63107A3117894.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
- ^ IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) 2007. Callorhinchus callorynchus. In: IUCN 2015. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2015.2. "The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species". Archived from the original on 2014-06-27. Retrieved 2013-09-28.. Downloaded on 24 July 2015.
- ^ Kim, Sun H.; Shimada, Kenshu; Rigsby, Cynthia K. (2013). "Anatomy and Evolution of Heterocercal Tail in Lamniform Sharks". The Anatomical Record. 296 (3): 433–442. doi:10.1002/ar.22647. PMID 23381874.
- ^ Chierichetti, Melisa A.; Scenna, Lorena B.; Giácomo, Edgardo E. Di; Ondarza, Paola M.; Figueroa, Daniel E.; Miglioranza, Karina S. B. (2017). "Reproductive biology of the cockfish, Callorhinchus callorynchus (Chondrichthyes: Callorhinchidae), in coastal waters of the northern Argentinean Sea". Neotropical Ichthyology. 15 (2). doi:10.1590/1982-0224-20160137. hdl:11336/64515.