Pleuronectidae
Pleuronectidae
Pleuronectidae (pronounced: pleu-ro-necti-dae) is a family of flatfish that includes the subfamilies Pleuronectinae and Hippoglossinae. These fish are commonly known as righteye flounders because they swim with the right side upward and the left side, which bears the eyes, facing down.
Etymology
The term "Pleuronectidae" is derived from the Greek words "pleura," meaning side, and "nekton," meaning swimming. This refers to the unique swimming style of these fish, which swim on their sides.
Description
Members of the Pleuronectidae family are characterized by their flat, oval-shaped bodies and their unique eye placement. The eyes of these fish are both located on the left side of their body, which is a characteristic that distinguishes them from other flatfish. This adaptation allows them to lie on the seafloor with their eyes facing upward, providing them with a unique perspective on potential prey and predators.
Distribution and Habitat
Pleuronectidae species are found in oceans worldwide, with a particular concentration in the Northern Hemisphere. They inhabit a range of habitats, from shallow coastal waters to deep-sea environments.
Related Terms
- Pleuronectinae: A subfamily of Pleuronectidae.
- Hippoglossinae: Another subfamily of Pleuronectidae.
- Flatfish: A common name for fish in the order Pleuronectiformes, which includes Pleuronectidae.
- Righteye flounders: A common name for fish in the family Pleuronectidae, due to their unique eye placement.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Pleuronectidae
- Wikipedia's article - Pleuronectidae
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski