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Whalesucker
The whalesucker (''Remora australis'') is a species of remora in the family Echeneidae, so named because it attaches itself exclusively to cetaceans. It is found worldwide in tropical and warm waters; in the Gulf of Mexico and western Atlantic Ocean, it occurs from Texas to Brazil, and in the eastern Pacific Ocean, it occurs from Vancouver Island to Chile. It is the rarest member of the remora family, though this may reflect more the uncommon collection of cetaceans in the wild rather than the whalesucker's actual abundance. The adhesive disk atop the head of the whalesucker is the largest amongst the remoras, bearing 25–28 Lamella (zoology), lamellae and measuring 47–59% of the standard length. The head itself measures 26–28% of the standard length. The dorsal fin rays number 23–26, the anal fin rays 24–26, and the pectoral fin rays 22–24. The jaws contain numerous large, stout canine teeth; the palatine and lingual patches are absent, and there are 17–20 gill raker ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Remora
The remora (), sometimes called suckerfish, is any of a family (Echeneidae) of ray-finned fish in the order Carangiformes. Depending on species, they grow to long. Their distinctive first dorsal fins take the form of a modified oval, sucker-like organ with slat-like structures that open and close to create suction and take a firm hold against the skin of larger marine animals. The disk is made up of stout, flexible membranes that can be raised and lowered to generate suction. By sliding backward, the remora can increase the suction, or it can release itself by swimming forward. Remoras sometimes attach to small boats, and have been observed attaching to divers as well. They swim well on their own, with a sinuous, or curved, motion. Characteristics Remora front dorsal fins have evolved to enable them to adhere by suction to smooth surfaces, and they spend most of their lives clinging to a host animal such as a whale, turtle, shark or ray. It is probably a mutualistic arrang ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Echeneidae
The remora (), sometimes called suckerfish, is any of a family (Echeneidae) of ray-finned fish in the order Carangiformes. Depending on species, they grow to long. Their distinctive first dorsal fins take the form of a modified oval, sucker-like organ with slat-like structures that open and close to create suction and take a firm hold against the skin of larger marine animals. The disk is made up of stout, flexible membranes that can be raised and lowered to generate suction. By sliding backward, the remora can increase the suction, or it can release itself by swimming forward. Remoras sometimes attach to small boats, and have been observed attaching to divers as well. They swim well on their own, with a sinuous, or curved, motion. Characteristics Remora front dorsal fins have evolved to enable them to adhere by suction to smooth surfaces, and they spend most of their lives clinging to a host animal such as a whale, turtle, shark or ray. It is probably a mutualistic arrange ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Frederick Debell Bennett
Frederick Debell Bennett (1806 - 1859) was an English ship surgeon and biologist. Born to a family of means in Devon, England. in 1806, he obtained his Licentiate of the Society of Apothecaries (L.S.A.) in 182, and his membership of the Royal College of Surgeons in 1829. Bennett first served as Assistant Surgeon on the hospital ship Grampus, which was moored on the Thames. Then in 1833, he joined the London whaleship Tuscan. From 1833-1836 he sailed round the globe on board the 'Tuscan'. The task of this journey was to study whales, lands and nature. He described several species, for example Whalesucker (''Remora australis''), blue noddy and ''Cheilopogon nigricans''. He was also a member of the Royal Geographical Society. After his return he practiced medicine in Southwark where he died in 1859 at the age of fifty-three.Druett, Joan, Rough Medicine: Surgeons at Sea in the Age of Sail. New York: Routledge, 2001, pp. 40-41; 213. Book * Narrative of a Whaling Voyage Round the Globe ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
