Ronquil

Ronquil

Taxobox
name = Ronquils


image_width = 200px
image_caption = Searcher
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Actinopterygii
ordo = Perciformes
familia = Bathymasteridae
subdivision_ranks = Genera
subdivision = "Bathymaster"
"Rathbunella"
"Ronquilus"
See text for species

Ronquils (sometimes spelt ronchils) are perciform marine fish of the small family Bathymasteridae. Found only in Arctic and North Pacific waters, the ronquil family contains just seven species in three genera. The larger species are important to commercial fisheries as food fish. Ronquils are most closely related to the eelpouts and prowfish.

The name "ronquil" is said to derive from the Spanish "ronquillo" meaning "slightly hoarse". The family name "Bathymasteridae" can be translated from the Greek to mean "deep searcher".

Physical description

With predominantly drab colours in shades of orange and olive, greatly elongate bodies and large rounded heads, ronquils could easily be mistaken for blennies. Their eyes and terminal mouths are large, with a single long, continuous dorsal fin which begins just behind the head; the anal fin is similarly extensive, and both it and the dorsal fin may either have 1-2 spines, or none at all. The pectoral fins are also quite large, and like the much smaller tail fin, rounded. The reduced pelvic fins are located in a thoracic position, just behind the throat.

The lateral line runs high along the flanks of the ronquil, ending with the dorsal fin. The fish have "palatine teeth"; that is, teeth located on the palate or roof of the mouth. The largest of the seven species is the searcher ("Bathymaster signatus") at up to 30.5 centimetres in length.

Marked sexual dimorphism is observed among ronquils. For example, male northern ronquil ("Ronquilus jordani") have orange backs with iridescent blue anal fins bordered in black, while the females have olive backs and paler blue anal fins bordered in brown.

Habitat and behaviour

Inhabiting cold waters from the Siberian and Bering Seas south to Hokkaidō and Monterey, California, ronquils are benthic animals spending most of their time on or near the bottom. Ronquils may be found on sandy or rocky substrates, usually no deeper than 275 metres (although searchers have been recorded to 825 metres); some may be found in tide pools. When threatened, ronquils will choose to retreat into the nearest hiding place, such as a hole or crevice.

Ronquils feed primarily on small benthic crustaceans and mollusks. Large halibut and flounders are among the most significant predators of ronquils. Although considered fairly common, ronquils are rarely observed; this is likely owing to their secretive nature.

Few specifics are recorded regarding ronquil spawning, but the males are known to guard the brood.

Species

* Genus: "Bathymaster"
** "Bathymaster caeruleofasciatus"
** "Bathymaster derjugini"
** "Bathymaster leurolepis"
** "Bathymaster signatus"
* Genus: "Rathbunella"
** "Rathbunella alleni"
** "Rathbunella hypoplecta"
* Genus: "Ronquilus"
** "Ronquilus jordani"

ee also

*List of fish common names
*List of fish families

External links

* [http://ichtyonb1.mnhn.fr/Summary/FamilySummary.cfm?ID=369 FishBase entry on Bathymasteridae]


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужен реферат?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • ronquil — Ronchil Ron chil, n. [Cf. Sp. ronquillo slightly hoarse.] (Zo[ o]l.) An American marine food fish ({Bathymaster signatus}) of the North Pacific coast, allied to the tilefish. [Written also {ronquil}.] [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • ronquil — /rong kil/, n. any of several percoid fishes of the family Bathymasteridae, ranging along the Pacific coast of North America. [1880 85, Amer.; < AmerSp ronquillo, dim. of ronco RONCO] * * * …   Universalium

  • ronquil — ron·quil …   English syllables

  • ronquil — ˈräŋkə̇l noun ( s) Etymology: American Spanish ronquillo, diminutive of ronco more at ronco : any of several marine percoid fishes (family Bathymasteridae) of the northwest coast of No. America that resemble the jawfishes …   Useful english dictionary

  • USS Ronquil (SS-396) — USS Ronquil (SS 396), a Balao class submarine, was the only ship of the United States Navy named for the ronquil, a spiny finned fish found along the northwest coast of North America. It has a single dorsal fin and a large mouth and resembles the …   Wikipedia

  • Stripedfin ronquil — Taxobox | name = Stripedfin ronquil image width = 240px image caption = From Scripps Canyon, La Jolla, CA regnum = Animalia phylum = Chordata classis = Actinopterygii ordo = Perciformes familia = Bathymasteridae genus = Rathbunella species = R.… …   Wikipedia

  • Alaskan ronquil — aliaskinė drakoniukė statusas T sritis zoologija | vardynas taksono rangas rūšis atitikmenys: lot. Bathymaster coeruleofasciatus angl. Alaskan ronquil; bluefin searcher rus. аляскинский батимастер ryšiai: platesnis terminas – azijinės drakoniukės …   Žuvų pavadinimų žodynas

  • stripefin ronquil — dryžoji drakoniukė statusas T sritis zoologija | vardynas taksono rangas rūšis atitikmenys: lot. Rathbunella hypoplecta angl. stripefin ronquil rus. полосатая ратбунелла ryšiai: platesnis terminas – amerikinės drakoniukės …   Žuvų pavadinimų žodynas

  • northern ronquil — šiaurinė drakoniukė statusas T sritis zoologija | vardynas taksono rangas rūšis atitikmenys: lot. Ronquilus jordani angl. northern ronquil rus. ронкила Джордана ryšiai: platesnis terminas – paprastosios drakoniukės …   Žuvų pavadinimų žodynas

  • Liste der U-Boote der United States Navy — Schiffe der United States Navy A B C D E F …   Deutsch Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”