Assessment page for species/group
MEASO Biota Assessment pages should be titled: MEASO Biota: Species name/group
The purpose of these assessment pages is to summarise basic information for a species or taxonomic group and how the status and ecology of the group may be changing over time (link here to the framework for assessing biota within the MEASO framework):
- General Description
- Autecology (species' ecology: life history, phenology, food, energetics, movement, rate processes)
- Habitat (physical environment, biological dependencies,Relationships, thresholds and limits )
- Population (distribution, status and trends in abundance)
- Synecology (species interactions: food webs, competitors)
- Assessments of status (critical state of population e.g. IUCN Red List)
- Contributing authors and experts
- References
Authors are encouraged to use the spatial partitioning of the marine ecosystem assessment (sectors etc - link here), as well as circumpolar information where available. Assessments of change can include, where possible, historical change, current trends and prognoses for future change. Generalities should be avoided and, instead, replaced with specific quantities of change and parameters, including error/uncertainty. Qualitative statements are acceptable provided the reasons for the qualitative conclusions are given, along with the scope for the application of the statements, and the uncertainty surrounding them.Â
In the case of Parameter Tables, authors are asked to include estimates of parameters and their error, wherever possible. Delete parameters that are not relevant.  Add parameters that are relevant but not included in the tables. The reference/s estimating the parameters should be cited, along with any statements as to the maturity of the estimates if known (e.g. under development, personal communications, future work is examining.....). For some species, life history information and parameters are co-opted from areas outside of the subject area, e.g. from outside the Southern Ocean. This proxy information is reasonable to include. Please include also the rationale for co-opting these data, and citations.
Biota pages need to be written concisely, well-referenced, and using the uncertainty language of the IPCC. In the first instance, references can be from peer-reviewed literature, reports that are publicly available or references in the grey literature that could be obtained from repositories. If the information is known but the references cannot be sourced in the first instance that put a placeholder for filling in the citation. This is useful for translating common ideas into this assessment without worrying about the pedigree of the idea in the first instance.
Under each heading is a list of information (in red italics) that is desirable for that section. Please do not change these main headings. If needed, a section can be further subdivided. Please delete the red italics and the instructions window from the page when it is completed (when the page is in edit mode you can select it for deletion).
On photographs, figures and tables:
If these are taken from publications or libraries that require recognition of copyright then we need to secure the necessary permissions to include them on these pages. Put a placeholder with a reference to the material and then seek permission for use. Or contact us and we will undertake this process.
All materials taken from libraries or references need to be cited appropriately, including photographs and text from web sites. See citation instructions (link here)
Other finalised MEASO Biota pages provide good examples of how to populate these assessments.
MEASO Assessment pages should be titled: MEASO Biota: Species name/group
The purpose of these assessment pages is to summarise basic information for a species or taxonomic group and how the status and ecology of the group may be changing over time (link here to the framework for assessing biota within the MEASO framework). Authors are encouraged to use the partitioning of the marine ecosystem assessment (sectors etc - link here) as well as circumpolar information. Assessments of change can include historical change, current trends and/or prognoses for future change. Ideally, assessments will be quantitative but can include qualitative statements as well. Estimates of error and points of critical uncertainty need to be identified where possible.
Final assessments need to be written concisely, well-referenced, and using the uncertainty language of the IPCC. In the first instance, references can be from peer-reviewed literature, reports that are publicly available or references in the grey literature that could be obtained from repositories.
Under each heading is a list of information (in red italics) that is desirable for that section. Please do not change these main headings. If needed, a section can be further subdivided. Please delete the red italics and this window from the page when you have completed it (when the page is in edit mode you can select it for deletion).
Other finalised MEASO Biota pages provide good examples of how to populate these assessments.
UNDER DEVELOPMENT
Description
General description
Brief description of the body form and size, recognisable attributes
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Why do scientists study these organisms and why are they important to the public at large (e.g. important to CCAMLR policy-makers)
Why are they included in MEASO?
Midwater fishes are those species that occupy mesopelagic depths (~200-1000 m) in the water column. Midwater fishes can be highly abundant, comprising up to 95% of total catches, which have been reported to comprise over 2000 species and representing 19 taxonomic families in one study (Miya et al. 1986), although more have been recorded globally and throughout the Southern Ocean (Duhamel et al. 2014). In the Southern Ocean, among the most abundant of the midwater fishes are members of the Myctophidae, Gonostomatidae, and Bathylagidae families, however this page will focus on the latter two (information on Myctophids is presented here).
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Summarise taxa included in this group (Classification if available)
TaxonomyÂ
Classification:
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Actinopterygii
Orders Alepocephaliformes, Anguilliformes, Argentiniformes, Aulopiformes, Beryciformes, Cetomimiformes, Gadiformes, Lampridiformes, Lophiiformes, Osmeriformes, Scombriformes, Stomiiformes, Trachiniformes
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| Family | Description | Species | Image |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alepisauridae | Lancetfishes that can grow up to 2 m in length | Alepisaurus brevirostris Gibbs, 1960 | |
| Anotopteridae | Family of mesopelagic fishes also known as daggertooths that possess sharp teeth and elongated bodies that lack scales. | Anotopterus vorax Regan, 1913 | |
| Bathylagidae | Known commonly as deep-sea smelts, they are small sized planktivores and have been reported at depths of up to 1500 m. Five species have been reported in the Southern Ocean (Duhamel et al. 2014). | Bathylagichthys australis Koyliansky, 1990 Bathylagus antarcticus  Günther, 1878 Bathylagus gracilis  Lönnberg, 1905 Bathylagus niger  Kobyliansky, 2006 Bathylagus tenuis  Kobyliansky, 1986 |
Image ©Tony Ayling |
| Ceratiidae | Commonly referred to as sea devils, they are anglerfish that possess a bioluminescent lure projecting from its forehead and used to attract prey. Their elongated bodies can reach 1.2 m in length, with females being larger than males. After a free-living adolescent stage, one or more males spend the rest of their lives attached to a female, eventually merging circulatory systems. | Ceratias tentaculatus Norman, 1930 | |
| Cetomimidae | Small-sized fishes collectively known as flabby whalefish, with adults exhibiting distinct sexual dimorphism. They are found throughout the Southern Hemisphere. | Gyrinomimus andriashevi Fedorov, Balushkin & Trunov, 1987 Gyrinomimus grahami Richardson & Garrick, 1964 Notocetichthys trunovi Balushkin, Fedorov & Paxton, 1989 | |
| Chiasmodontidae | Commonly known as snaketooth fishes and have a cosmopolitan distribution. | Chiasmodon niger Johnson, 1864 Kali sp. (see Hanchet et al., 2013) Pseudoscopelus altipinnis Parr, 1933 | |
| Gadidae | Medium-sized family of fishes known collectively as cods, codfishes, or true cods, many of which are commercially harvested. They are carnivorous, and prefer to eat smaller-sized fish and crustaceans. | Micromesistius australis Norman, 1937 | |
| Gigantactinidae | Known commonly as a whipnose angler, they protrude exceptionally long lures (illicium) which may be longer than their body length. | Gigantactis sp. (see Hanchet et al., 2013) | |
| Gonostomatidae | Commonly named bristlemouths, lightfishes, and/or anglemouths, they are a relatively small family wiht only 32 species known globally. In the Southern Ocean, this family has been reported as the most numerous (up to 72%) among total catches (Miya et al. 1986). | Cyclothone acclinidens  Garman, 1899 Cyclothone braueri Cyclothone kobayashii Miya, 1994 Cyclothone microdon  Günther, 1898 Cyclothone pallida  Brauer, 1902 Diplophos rebainsi Krefft & Parin, 1972 Sigmops bathyphilus  Vaillant, 1884 |
Image © Steen Knudsen from iucnredlist.org |
| Lampridae | Known as opah, the genus Lampris is derived from the Ancient Greek word lampros which means "brilliant" or "clear", likely referring to their colourful skin. Though not commercially targeted, they do represent an important component of commercial fishery (mostly tuna) as bycatch. Their prevalence is increasing in regions such as the Mediterranean and is believed to be a result of climate change (Francour et al. 2010). Lampris guttatus is reported to maintain an entire body temperature 5°C consistently above ambient temperature (Wegner et al. 2015). | Lampris immaculatus Brünnich, 1788 Lampris guttatus Gilchrist, 1904 | |
| Melamphaidae | Common names include ridgeheads and bigscales for their pronounced cranial ridges and large scales. They are small-size with a global distribution. | Melamphaes microps Günther, 1878 Poromitra crassiceps Günther, 1878 Sio nordenskjoldii Lönnberg, 1905 | |
| Melanonidae | Gadiform fish, small in size (15 m in length, maximum) and black in colour. | Melanonus gracilis Günther, 1878 | |
| Merlucciidae | Commonly known as hakes, they are a cold water fish, with body sizes averaging 1.55 m in length, and are found at depths greater than 50 m | Merluccius australis Hutton, 1872 | |
| Microstomatidae | Also referred to as pencil smelts, they are marine smelts found in Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. | Nansenia antarctica Kawaguchi & Butler, 1984 | |
| Nemichthyidae | Cosmopolitan pelagic fishes commonly known as snipe eels. They can be found at 300-600 m depths, but sometimes reported up to 4000 m. Adults may reach 1-2 m in length. | Avocettina sp. (see Trunov, 1999) Labichthys yanoi Mead & Rubinoff, 1966 Nemichthys curvirostris Strömman, 1896 Nemichthys scolopaceus Richardson, 1848 | |
| Notosudidae | Commonly referred to as waryfishes with subarctic and subantarctic distributions. They possess teeth on their upper jaws and lack a swim bladder. | Luciosudis normani Fraser-Brunner, 1931 Scopelosaurus hamiltoni Waite, 1916 | |
| Oneirodidae | Known commonly as the dreamers, these are the largest and most biodiverse group of anglerfishes though small in size (maximum length approximately 20 cm). | Oneirodes notius Pietsch, 1974 | |
| Paralepididae | These barracudinas have elongated, slender bodies with pointed snout and elongated bodies. They have been reported at depths 200-1000 m; they prey on smaller fish, crustaceans and squid and are preyed upon by larger fishes such as tuna, lancetfish, blue sharks, as well as the mammalian Cuvier's beaked whales. | Arctozenus risso Bonaparte, 1840 Macroparalepis macrogeneion Post, 1973 Magnisudis prionosa Rofen, 1963 Notolepis annulata Post, 1978 Notolepis coatsi Dollo, 1908 | |
| Platytroctidae | These are a family of small to medium-sized (9 to 33 cm in length) marine smelts collectively known as tubeshoulders. They have been reported at depths 300-1000 m and possess light-producing organs. | Normichthys yahganorum Lavenberg, 1965 Sagamichthys abei Parr, 1953 | |
| Scombridae | Family includes mackerels, tunas, and bonitos, with the Butterfly mackerel and the Southern Bluefin tuna among the most common species found in the Southern Ocean. | Gasterochisma melampus Richardson, 1845 Thunnus maccoyii Castelnau, 1872 | |
| Scopelarchidae | Known also as pearleyes, they are small to medium-sized (3.7-35 cm in length) fishes that possess two retinas in each of their telescopic eyes which give them ability to see in almost complete darkness. | Benthalbella elongata Norman, 1937 Benthalbella macropinna Bussing & Bussing, 1966 | |
| Serrivomeridae | Commonly referred to as the sawtooth eel, found throughout temperate and tropical oceanic regions. | Serrivomer sp. (see Trunov, 1999) | |
| Sternoptychidae | Known commonly as hatchetfishes, they can be found at depths of 200-600 m throughout global temperate, tropical and subtropical oceans. They are capable of bioluminescent counter-illumination as a predator defence mechanism. | Argyropelecus aculeatus Valenciennes, 1850 Argyropelecus affinis Garman, 1899 Argyropelecus gigas Norman, 1930 Argyropelecus hemigymnus Cocco, 1829 Argyropelecus olfersii Cuvier, 1829 Maurolicus muelleri Gmelin, 1789 Sternoptyx diaphana Hermann, 1781 Sternoptyx pseudobscura Baird, 1971 Sternoptyx pseudodiaphana Borodulina, 1977 | |
| Stomiidae | Small-sized fishes (15 cm average length) consisting of ray-finned fish with large jaws with fang-like teeth. Can consume prey larger than half their body length with their ability to open their jaw wide by hinging the neurocranium and upper-jaw system. | Astronesthes psychrolutes Gibbs & Weitzman, 1965 Borostomias antarcticus Lönnberg, 1905 Chauliodus sloani Bloch & Schneider, 1801 Idiacanthus atlanticus Brauer, 1906 Stomias boa Risso, 1810 Stomias gracilis Garman, 1899 Trigonolampa miriceps Regan & Trewavas, 1930 |
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Summary role in ecosystem
Summary statement of role in ecosystems, global significance and known/expected significance in Southern Ocean
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Autecology
Summarise the autecology of the group and whether this differs between sectors, and/or over years
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Auteology is the ecology of an individual species, and includes its life history, movement, food, energetics, and rate processes. Here we summarise the autecology of the group and whether this differs between sectors, and/or over years.
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Include at the beginning a general description of the important features of the group's autecology. As far as possible, include this general detail in figures (rather than text) illustrating the life cycle, phenology (timing of events) and other general attributes. (please put figures in placeholders in the template)
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The following sections provide specific estimates/conclusions about how to represent these attributes in models of this group, which may be qualitative network models or dynamic models.
Life history
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Include in the table only available estimates of life history parameters and their error, wherever possible. Delete parameters that are not relevant.  Add parameters that are relevant but not included in the tables. The reference/s estimating the parameters should be cited, along with any statements as to the maturity of the estimates if known (e.g. under development, personal communications, future work is examining.....). For some species, life history information and parameters are co-opted from areas outside of the subject area, e.g. from outside the Southern Ocean. This proxy information is reasonable to include. Please include also the rationale for co-opting these data, and citations. If the parameters are different between locations/sectors then include those differences in the table.
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Parameters | Values | Notes | References |
|---|---|---|---|
Maximum age | |||
Average adult size | |||
Age at maturity | |||
Size at maturity | |||
Spawning/breeding area | |||
Spawning/breeding season | |||
Larval/gestation period | |||
Location of recruits | |||
Size of recruits | |||
| Overall natural mortality rate | |||
Non-predation natural mortality rates |
Migration, movement
Depending on species group - this could be large movements of populations in and out of the region (e.g. whales) or it could detail diurnal vertical migration of fish/plankton species.Â
Population scale - need to include time of year when migration/movement might be more prevalent.  Small scale migration - time of day, depths etc
Diet (foraging and consumption)
Summary dietary information - e.g. "This species feeds predominantly on krill, with a small percentage of it's diet made up of mesopelagic fish species. Winter diets are predominantly fish based and located north of 60degS." Summaries from the Southern Ocean Dietary Database would be useful to include here. If there are variations in diet between sectors or locations then include those differences as well. Also include assessment of change in diet, when available, seasonally and over years.  Isotopic or genetic analyses would be useful to include.
Energetics
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Include basic estimates for energetic calculations here. If measures of these parameters are available for considering changes over time then this may help identification of system-level change.
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The summary table here can have references to more detailed tables compiled from many references etc.
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Parameters | |
|---|---|
| Ingestion rate | Insert values and short citations here |
| Metabolism | |
Fecundity | |
Length-weight relationships | |
Growth rate | |
Size at age | |
| Population Productivity (average life time) |
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Habitat
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In the introduction to this section, provide a general description of the locations where the group is expected to be found, including depth, proximity to the continent/islands/shelf areas. Also introduce the physical and biological dependencies of the group. e.g. distribution is constrained by the temperature range, or the group is only found in sedimentary environments and so on.
Relationships, thresholds and limits
Present the relationships between the group and physical and biological environmental attributes. These may be qualitative and/or quantitative relationships, including descriptions/estimates of uncertainties. Justification will be needed for the qualitative relationships. Critical thresholds/ranges/non-linear relationships of the group with habitat variables are important to identify if present, including how they will affect the ecology of the species/group. Express uncertainties in these relationships as confidence intervals, and/or descriptive uncertainties (such as adopted proxies from measurements elsewhere)
Functional responses of taxon (y-axis) to habitat variables (x-axis) are described here (with citations to the evidence). Parameters for a response type are to be given with their attendant uncertainties/errors/range, with references.
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Variable | Taxon size/stage impacted | Functional response (icon) | Parameters and uncertainties | Risk areas/regions impacted | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Paste icon here (choose from Functional relationships) | |||||
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Population
Summarise the population status, trends and prognoses for the species/group and whether this differs between sectors, and/or over years. Consideration of threshold population sizes, the location of local populations with respect to the range (habitat conditions) etc. will be beneficial.
Range and Structure
Distribution and abundance of the population. Consideration of the abundances relative to an assessed range of the species would be beneficial.
Include here
- Â If available, place the latest static map of distribution in the placeholder (from biodiversity.aq and the SCAR Biogeographic Atlas of the Southern Ocean)
- Relative abundance in different sectors (importance of different sectors to the group) - ensure units are expressed and, where possible, standardised between studies.
Latest static map of distribution if available
Relative abundance in different sectors (importance of different sectors to the group)
Figure: Relative population sizes of Southern Ocean mesopelagic fishes found in a) Atlantic sector, with family representation based on FFS Walther Herwig transect data (November 1975 - January 1976); and b) Indian sector, with species representations based on La Curieuse Ichtyoker sampling programme (February 1998 - December 2000). Graphic from Duhamel et al. (2014).
Placeholder for map
Southern Ocean distributions of the following midwater fish taxa: (a) Bathylagidae; (b) Gonostomatidae; (c) Sternoptychidae; (d), (e), (f) Stomiidae; (g) Alepisauridae & Notosuididae; (h) Paralepididae; (i ) Scopelarchidae; (j) Lampridae; (k) Melamphaidae; (l) Chiasmodontidae; (m) Centrolophidae; (n ) Macrouridae. Graphics from Duhamel et al. (2014).
Dynamics
Assessments of variability, trends over time and prognoses. Analyses of possible links to drivers (habitat, food web) to be included here.
- Abundance information - general overview, comment on increases or decreases in population size and where/why?
- Placeholder for trends in abundance in different sectors
Abundance information - general overview, comment on increases or decreases in population size and where/why?
Placeholder for trends in abundance in different sectors
Synecology
Synecology refers to the ecology of interactions between species, including food webs (consumers), competition, disease and so on.
Include here, 2-3 sentence summary of the type of interactions with other species. Also describe differences in the relationships between sectors/locations.
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Consumers (predators)
Â2-3 sentence summary of the type of consumers at different times of the year, including evidence of whether these have changed over time..
ÂCompetitors
ÂAssessment of overlap with potential competitors of the species/group. Â
Other interactions e.g. disease
Human Impacts
When known, include this section and present information on direct human impacts on this group. For example, from fisheries, polIution and tthe like.
Assessments of Status
IUCN Red List
| Species/genera: | Cyclothone braueri |
|---|---|
| Year of classification: | 2013 |
| Red List Category & Criteria: | Least concern |
| Population Trend: | Stable |
| Assessment Justification: | Cyclothone braueri is a mesopelagic, circumglobal species which is found between the latitudes of 67°N-40°S. It is very abundant in museum collections and can be locally abundant. This species is not utilized. There are no species-specific conservation measures in place for C. braueri. Therefore, this species is listed as Least Concern. |
| Reference: | Harold, 2015a |
| Species/genera: | Cyclothone microdon |
| Year of classification: | 2013 |
| Red List Category & Criteria: | Least concern |
| Population Trend: | Stable |
| Assessment Justification: | Cyclothone microdon occurs in all three major oceans and can be locally abundant. This species is not utilized and there are no threats. There are no conservation actions in place for this species. It is not known whether there is substantial immigration/emigration from outside the Eastern Central Atlantic that will significantly affect subpopulations in the region. Therefore, this species is listed as Least Concern both globally and in the Eastern Central Atlantic. |
| Reference: | Harold, 2015b |
| Species/genera | Cyclothone pallida |
| Year of classification: | 2013 |
| Red List Category & Criteria: | Least concern |
| Population Trend: | Stable |
| Assessment Justification: | Cyclothone pallida is a circum-globally distributed species. It can be very abundant throughout its range. There is no use and trade information available for this species. There are no species-specific threats to C. pallida. There are no species-specific conservation measures in place for C. pallida. Therefore, this species is listed as Least Concern. |
| Reference: | Harold, 2015c |
Other
Include assessments from other bodies if available.
References
A list of references referred to on this page.
Please use Ecology style, for more information and examples see:Â
https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/hub/journal/13652745/author-guidelines
Duhamel, G., Hully, P.-A., Causse, R., Koubbi, P., Vacchi, M., Pruvost, P., ... & van de Putte, A.P. (2014). Biogeographic Patterns of Fish. In: De Broyer, C., Koubbi, P., Griffiths, H.J., Raymond, B., Udekem d'Acoz, C. d', ... & Roupert-Coudert, Y. (eds). Biogeographic Atlas of the Southern Ocean. Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research, Cambridge, 328-498.
Francour, P., Cottalorda, J.-M., Aubert, M., Bava, S., Colombey, M., Gilles, P., ... & Quignard, J.-P. (2010). Recent occurrences of opah, Lampris guttatus (Actinopterygii, Lampriformes, Lampridae), in the western Mediterranean Sea. Acta Ichthyol. Piscat., 40(1), 91–98. doi: 10.3750/AIP2010.40.1.15
Hanchett, S.M., Stewart, A.L., McMillan, P.J., Clarck, M.R., O’Driscoll, R.L., Stevenson, M.L. (2013). Diversity, relative abundance, new locality records, and updated fish fauna of the Ross Sea region. Antarctic Science, 25(5), 1–18. doi: 10.1017/S0954102012001265
Harold, A. (2015a). Cyclothone braueri. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015: e.T198757A42691694. http://sci-hub.tw/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T198757A42691694.en. Downloaded on 16 September 2019.
Harold, A. (2015b). Cyclothone microdon. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015: e.T190133A42691704. http://sci-hub.tw/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T190133A42691704.en. Downloaded on 16 September 2019.
Harold, A. (2015c). Cyclothone pallida. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015: e.T18252619A42691714. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T18252619A42691714.en. Downloaded on 16 September 2019.
Miya, M., Okiyama, M., & Nemoto, T. (1986). Midwater fishes of the Southern Ocean south of Australia. Memoirs of National Institute for Polar Research, Special Issue, 40, 323-324.Â
Trunov, I.A. (1999). Novye svedeniya o rybakh subantarkticheskikh i antarkticheskikh vod Atlantiki. [New data on species of fish from subantarctic and Antarctic waters of the Atlantic Ocean]. Journal of Ichthyology, 39(7), 488–497.
Wegner, N.C., Snodgrass, O.E., Dewar, H., & Hyde, J.R. (2015). Whole-body endothermy in a mesopelagic fish, the opah, Lampris guttatus. Science, 348(6236), 786-789. doi:Â 10.1126/science.aaa8902
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People
Contributing authors
| Name | Affiliation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Christine Weldrick | IMAS/ACE CRC | |
Version history
 Version number | Date of creation * | Expert reviewers | Peer reviewers | Date of completion* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | ||||
* Date format is YYYY.MM.DD
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Citation
SOKI Wiki (2014) Monday 16 Sep 2019.
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