The saccopharyngiforms are a derived lineage of unusual eels within the order Anguilliformes, and includes families Cyematidae, Monognathidae, Eurypharyngidae, Saccopharyngidae, and the proposed family Neocyematidae. Most of the fish in this group are deep-dwelling and rarely seen, typically known from only a handful of specimens. Species include recognizable fish such as pelican eels, bobtail eels, and gulper eels. Some can live deep in the ocean, well into the aphotic zone, from approximately 500-1800 meters deep. Extensive research has not been conducted on them due to being indirectly observed, with some species known only from their larvae. All families except for the exceptionallyrareindividuals of proposed family Neoceymatidae are found in all major oceans.
Description
They have multiple internal differences from the rest of Anguilliformes. Notably, they have no symplectic bone, operclular bones, ribs, or swim bladders. Like many other eels, they lack scales and pelvic fins. Their myomeres are V-shaped instead of W-shaped as in all other fishes, and their lateral lines have no pores, instead being modified to groups of elevated tubules. The jaws are quite large, lined with small teeth, and several types are notable for being able to consume fish larger than themselves. Some species in families Eurypharyngidae and Saccopharyngidae are bioluminescent. Like other eels, saccopharyngids have leptocephalus larvae. However, these larvae also have a number of unusual characteristics, such as remarkably deep bodies in the Cyematidae, long lower jaws in the Eurypharyngidae, and unique pigmented swellings at the ends of the gut in Saccopharyngidae and Eurypharyngidae. The three established families of the suborder Saccopharyngoidei all exhibitsexual dimorphism.
Taxonomy
Until recently, the order "Saccopharyngiformes" was accepted as a separate order from Anguilliformes, based on their distinct morphological differences from the rest of the "true eels". Geneticwork over the past few years has shown that it is instead a derived lineage within the Anguilliformes. The four families in two suborders are:
