Garpike - Garpike (English spelling)

A general term for freshwater fish of the Lepisosteidae family of the order Squamata, which belongs to the class Osteichthyes. They are found in freshwater systems in eastern and central America, Cuba, and elsewhere. There are seven species in one genus, and fossils have been found in North America, Europe, India, and elsewhere. They mainly live in shallow freshwater areas with lush aquatic plants, but those around the Caribbean sometimes live in brackish waters. They range in length from about 50 cm, with the largest species being the tropical alligator gar, Lepisosteus spatula , which can reach a length of 3 meters. They have a long, slender mouth and powerful needle-like teeth. Their bodies are elongated and covered with diamond-shaped hard scales. Their swim bladder is single and incompletely divided into two chambers, with the shape of lungs, and they breathe air to some extent. Their vertebrae are completely ossified, and their vertebrae are concave at the rear. The gar, which was reported from mainland China in the mid-19th century, is still a mystery.

[Tetsuji Nakabo]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

硬骨魚綱に属する鱗骨目ガーパイク科Lepisosteidaeの淡水魚の総称。東部アメリカ、中部アメリカ、キューバなどの淡水系に分布する。1属7種で、化石種は北アメリカ、ヨーロッパ、インドなどから産出する。おもに浅くて水草の繁った淡水域にすむが、カリブ海周辺のものはときには汽水域にもすむ。全長50センチメートル程度のものから、最大種は熱帯性のアリゲーターガーLepisosteus spatulaで、全長3メートルになる。口は細長く、歯は強大な針状である。体は延長し菱(ひし)形の硬鱗(こうりん)で覆われる。うきぶくろは単一形で不完全に左右2室に分かれ、肺の形態を備え、ある程度空気呼吸をする。脊椎(せきつい)骨は完全に硬骨化し、椎体は後部が内方にくぼむ。19世紀中ごろ中国大陸から報告された絵だけのガーパイクはいまだに謎(なぞ)である。

［中坊徹次］

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