Sabertooth fish - Revision history

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	'''Sabertooth''' or '''sabretooth fish''' are small, ~~fierce-looking~~ deep-sea [[aulopiform]] [[fish]] comprising the family '''Evermannellidae'''. The family is small, with just eight [[species]] in three [[genus\|genera]] represented; they are distributed throughout tropical to subtropical waters of the [[Atlantic Ocean\|Atlantic]], [[Indian Ocean\|Indian]], and [[Pacific Ocean]]s.		'''Sabertooth''' or '''sabretooth fish''' are small, deep-sea [[aulopiform]] [[fish]] comprising the family '''Evermannellidae'''. The family is small, with just eight [[species]] in three [[genus\|genera]] represented; they are distributed throughout tropical to subtropical waters of the [[Atlantic Ocean\|Atlantic]], [[Indian Ocean\|Indian]], and [[Pacific Ocean]]s.

	These fishes are named for their oversized, recurved [[palate\|palatine]] [[tooth\|teeth]], similar to those of [[saber-toothed cat]]s (and the prehistoric ''[[Enchodus]]''). The family is named Evermannellidae after [[Barton Warren Evermann]], noted [[ichthyology\|ichthyologist]], [[natural history\|naturalist]] and director of the [[California Academy of Sciences]].		These fishes are named for their oversized, recurved [[palate\|palatine]] [[tooth\|teeth]], similar to those of [[saber-toothed cat]]s (and the prehistoric ''[[Enchodus]]''). The family is named Evermannellidae after [[Barton Warren Evermann]], noted [[ichthyology\|ichthyologist]], [[natural history\|naturalist]] and director of the [[California Academy of Sciences]].

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	Sabertooth fishes have moderately elongated and compressed bodies which lack normal [[scale (zoology)\|scales]]. The head is large and blunt; the terminal mouth is large and lined with slender [[Palatine bone\|palatine]] teeth, and the front is mostly enlarged and is curved inward slightly. A number of shorter, straighter teeth accompany these fang-like teeth. The [[tongue]] is toothless.		Sabertooth fishes have moderately elongated and compressed bodies which lack normal [[scale (zoology)\|scales]]. The head is large and blunt; the terminal mouth is large and lined with slender [[Palatine bone\|palatine]] teeth, and the front is mostly enlarged and is curved inward slightly. A number of shorter, straighter teeth accompany these fang-like teeth. The [[tongue]] is toothless.

	The [[Eye\|eyes]] of the ''Odontostomops normalops'' typically range in size from small to large with a tubular structure while pointing upwards and directly laterally. The Atlantic sabertooth (''Cocorella atlantica'') have semi-tubular eyes directed dorso-laterally while the Balbo sabertooth (''Evermannella balbo'') and Indian sabertooth (''Evermannella melanoderma'') have tubular eyes but directed [[Anatomical terms of location\|dorsally]] and slightly [[Anatomical terms of location\|anteriorly]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal \|last1=Arronte \|first1=J. C. \|last2=Bañón \|first2=R. \|last3=Sánchez \|first3=F. \|last4=Serrano \|first4=A. \|date=2012-03-05 \|title=On the occurrence of Odontostomops normalops (Aulopiformes: Evermannellidae) in the Bay of Biscay (north-eastern Atlantic) \|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0426.2012.01951.x \|journal=Journal of Applied Ichthyology \|volume=28 \|issue=4 \|pages=649–651 \|doi=10.1111/j.1439-0426.2012.01951.x \|issn=0175-8659\|url-access=subscription \|hdl=10508/8431 \|hdl-access=free }}</ref> The tubular nature of these eyes allow the sabertooth fish to extend their vision in specific directions, and also are presumed to aid with depth perception in the dark.<ref name=":1">Maile, A. J., May, Z. A., DeArmon, E. S., Martin, R. P., & Davis, M. P. (2020). Marine habitat transitions and body-shape evolution in lizardfishes and their allies (Aulopiformes). Copeia, 108(4), 820–832.</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite journal \|last1=Wagner \|first1=H. -J. \|last2=Fröhlich \|first2=E. \|last3=Negishi \|first3=K. \|last4=Collin \|first4=S. P. \|date=1998-10-01 \|title=The eyes of deep-sea fish II. Functional morphology of the retina \|url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1350946298000032 \|journal=Progress in Retinal and Eye Research \|language=en \|volume=17 \|issue=4 \|pages=637–685 \|doi=10.1016/S1350-9462(98)00003-2 \|pmid=9777652 \|s2cid=24625806 \|issn=1350-9462\|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Evermannella have an additional adaptation called the optical fold. These optical folds are found on the [[lateral (anatomy)\|lateral]] sides of the eyes and are another adaptation that allow these fish to extend their field of vision. The presumed mechanism of these optical folds is by altering the angle of the light from the lateral and ventral sides to better enter the eye.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite journal \|last1=Wagner \|first1=H.-J. \|last2=Partridge \|first2=J. C. \|last3=Douglas \|first3=R. H. \|date=2019-12-01 \|title=Observations on the retina and 'optical fold' of a mesopelagic sabretooth fish, Evermanella balbo \|url=https://doi.org/10.1007/s00441-019-03060-4 \|journal=Cell and Tissue Research \|language=en \|volume=378 \|issue=3 \|pages=411–425 \|doi=10.1007/s00441-019-03060-4 \|pmid=31278519 \|s2cid=253978667 \|issn=1432-0878}}</ref>		The [[Eye\|eyes]] of the ''Odontostomops normalops'' typically range in size from small to large with a tubular structure while pointing upwards and directly laterally. The Atlantic sabertooth (''Cocorella atlantica'') have semi-tubular eyes directed dorso-laterally while the Balbo sabertooth (''Evermannella balbo'') and Indian sabertooth (''Evermannella melanoderma'') have tubular eyes but directed [[Anatomical terms of location\|dorsally]] and slightly [[Anatomical terms of location\|anteriorly]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal \|last1=Arronte \|first1=J. C. \|last2=Bañón \|first2=R. \|last3=Sánchez \|first3=F. \|last4=Serrano \|first4=A. \|date=2012-03-05 \|title=On the occurrence of Odontostomops normalops (Aulopiformes: Evermannellidae) in the Bay of Biscay (north-eastern Atlantic) \|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0426.2012.01951.x \|journal=Journal of Applied Ichthyology \|volume=28 \|issue=4 \|pages=649–651 \|doi=10.1111/j.1439-0426.2012.01951.x \|issn=0175-8659\|url-access=subscription \|hdl=10508/8431 \|hdl-access=free }}</ref> The tubular nature of these eyes allow the sabertooth fish to extend their vision in specific directions, and also are presumed to aid with depth perception in the dark.<ref name=":1">Maile, A. J., May, Z. A., DeArmon, E. S., Martin, R. P., & Davis, M. P. (2020). Marine habitat transitions and body-shape evolution in lizardfishes and their allies (Aulopiformes). Copeia, 108(4), 820–832.</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite journal \|last1=Wagner \|first1=H. -J. \|last2=Fröhlich \|first2=E. \|last3=Negishi \|first3=K. \|last4=Collin \|first4=S. P. \|date=1998-10-01 \|title=The eyes of deep-sea fish II. Functional morphology of the retina \|url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1350946298000032 \|journal=Progress in Retinal and Eye Research \|language=en \|volume=17 \|issue=4 \|pages=637–685 \|doi=10.1016/S1350-9462(98)00003-2 \|pmid=9777652 \|s2cid=24625806 \|issn=1350-9462\|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Evermannella have an additional adaptation called the optical fold. These optical folds are found on the [[lateral (anatomy)\|lateral]] sides of the eyes and are another adaptation that allow these fish to extend their field of vision. The presumed mechanism of these optical folds is by altering the angle of the light from the lateral and ventral sides to better enter the eye.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite journal \|last1=Wagner \|first1=H.-J. \|last2=Partridge \|first2=J. C. \|last3=Douglas \|first3=R. H. \|date=2019-12-01 \|title=Observations on the retina and 'optical fold' of a mesopelagic sabretooth fish, Evermanella balbo \|url=https://doi.org/10.1007/s00441-019-03060-4 \|journal=Cell and Tissue Research \|language=en \|volume=378 \|issue=3 \|pages=411–425 \|doi=10.1007/s00441-019-03060-4 \|pmid=31278519 \|s2cid=253978667 \|issn=1432-0878\|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

	Similarly, in O. normalops, the horizontal diameter of the eye is significantly smaller than the width of the orbit, whereas in C. atlantica, the diameter of the eye is approximately equal to the interorbital width. In the case of E. balbo and E. melanoderma, the horizontal diameter of the eye is notably wider than the interorbital width. These observations suggest that there exist significant variations in the proportional dimensions of the eyes and orbits among different species of organisms, which may be indicative of distinct anatomical and functional adaptations.<ref name=":0" />		Similarly, in O. normalops, the horizontal diameter of the eye is significantly smaller than the width of the orbit, whereas in C. atlantica, the diameter of the eye is approximately equal to the interorbital width. In the case of E. balbo and E. melanoderma, the horizontal diameter of the eye is notably wider than the interorbital width. These observations suggest that there exist significant variations in the proportional dimensions of the eyes and orbits among different species of organisms, which may be indicative of distinct anatomical and functional adaptations.<ref name=":0" />

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{{Short description|Family of fishes}}
{{Automatic taxobox
| name = Sabertooth fishes
| image = Coccorella atrata.png
| image_caption = ''[[Coccorella atrata]]''
| taxon = Evermannellidae
| authority = Fowler, 1901
| subdivision_ranks = Genera
| subdivision = {{plainlist|
*''[[Coccorella]]''
*''[[Evermannella]]''
*''[[Odontostomops]]''}}
}}

'''Sabertooth''' or '''sabretooth fish''' are small, fierce-looking deep-sea [[aulopiform]] [[fish]] comprising the family '''Evermannellidae'''. The family is small, with just eight [[species]] in three [[genus|genera]] represented; they are distributed throughout tropical to subtropical waters of the [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]], [[Indian Ocean|Indian]], and [[Pacific Ocean]]s.

These fishes are named for their oversized, recurved [[palate|palatine]] [[tooth|teeth]], similar to those of [[saber-toothed cat]]s (and the prehistoric ''[[Enchodus]]''). The family is named Evermannellidae after [[Barton Warren Evermann]], noted [[ichthyology|ichthyologist]], [[natural history|naturalist]] and director of the [[California Academy of Sciences]].

== Description ==
Sabertooth fishes have moderately elongated and compressed bodies which lack normal [[scale (zoology)|scales]]. The head is large and blunt; the terminal mouth is large and lined with slender [[Palatine bone|palatine]] teeth, and the front is mostly enlarged and is curved inward slightly. A number of shorter, straighter teeth accompany these fang-like teeth. The [[tongue]] is toothless.

The [[Eye|eyes]] of the ''Odontostomops normalops'' typically range in size from small to large with a tubular structure while pointing upwards and directly laterally. The Atlantic sabertooth (''Cocorella atlantica'') have semi-tubular eyes directed dorso-laterally while the Balbo sabertooth (''Evermannella balbo'') and Indian sabertooth (''Evermannella melanoderma'') have tubular eyes but directed [[Anatomical terms of location|dorsally]] and slightly [[Anatomical terms of location|anteriorly]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last1=Arronte |first1=J. C. |last2=Bañón |first2=R. |last3=Sánchez |first3=F. |last4=Serrano |first4=A. |date=2012-03-05 |title=On the occurrence of Odontostomops normalops (Aulopiformes: Evermannellidae) in the Bay of Biscay (north-eastern Atlantic) |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0426.2012.01951.x |journal=Journal of Applied Ichthyology |volume=28 |issue=4 |pages=649–651 |doi=10.1111/j.1439-0426.2012.01951.x |issn=0175-8659|url-access=subscription |hdl=10508/8431 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> The tubular nature of these eyes allow the sabertooth fish to extend their vision in specific directions, and also are presumed to aid with depth perception in the dark.<ref name=":1">Maile, A. J., May, Z. A., DeArmon, E. S., Martin, R. P., & Davis, M. P. (2020). Marine habitat transitions and body-shape evolution in lizardfishes and their allies (Aulopiformes). Copeia, 108(4), 820–832.</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite journal |last1=Wagner |first1=H. -J. |last2=Fröhlich |first2=E. |last3=Negishi |first3=K. |last4=Collin |first4=S. P. |date=1998-10-01 |title=The eyes of deep-sea fish II. Functional morphology of the retina |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1350946298000032 |journal=Progress in Retinal and Eye Research |language=en |volume=17 |issue=4 |pages=637–685 |doi=10.1016/S1350-9462(98)00003-2 |pmid=9777652 |s2cid=24625806 |issn=1350-9462|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Evermannella have an additional adaptation called the optical fold. These optical folds are found on the [[lateral (anatomy)|lateral]] sides of the eyes and are another adaptation that allow these fish to extend their field of vision. The presumed mechanism of these optical folds is by altering the angle of the light from the lateral and ventral sides to better enter the eye.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite journal |last1=Wagner |first1=H.-J. |last2=Partridge |first2=J. C. |last3=Douglas |first3=R. H. |date=2019-12-01 |title=Observations on the retina and 'optical fold' of a mesopelagic sabretooth fish, Evermanella balbo |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/s00441-019-03060-4 |journal=Cell and Tissue Research |language=en |volume=378 |issue=3 |pages=411–425 |doi=10.1007/s00441-019-03060-4 |pmid=31278519 |s2cid=253978667 |issn=1432-0878}}</ref>

Similarly, in O. normalops, the horizontal diameter of the eye is significantly smaller than the width of the orbit, whereas in C. atlantica, the diameter of the eye is approximately equal to the interorbital width. In the case of E. balbo and E. melanoderma, the horizontal diameter of the eye is notably wider than the interorbital width. These observations suggest that there exist significant variations in the proportional dimensions of the eyes and orbits among different species of organisms, which may be indicative of distinct anatomical and functional adaptations.<ref name=":0" />

The [[anal fin]] (26–37 rays) is the largest of the fins, and runs along the posterior half of the fish, tapering in height towards the emarginated [[caudal fin]]. For ''O. normalops'', anal fin ray counts are lowest in the Atlantic, higher in the Indian Ocean, and highest in the Pacific.<ref name=":0" /> Further sampling must be done in order to determine a cause for this trend and if this trend exists in other species as well. A single high [[dorsal fin]] (10–13 rays) originates slightly before the thoracic [[pelvic fins]]. A small [[adipose fin]] is also present. The [[Pectoral fin|pectoral fins]] (11–13 rays) are positioned rather low on the body. All fins are [[Spine (zoology)|spineless]] and lightly pigmented in shades of brown.<ref>Nelson, Joseph S., et al. ''Fishes of the World.'' Wiley, 2016</ref>

The different families have 44–54 [[Vertebra|vertebrae]], with three discrete bands of [[muscle]] tissue (epaxial, mid-lateral, and hypaxial) present in the caudal region. Sabertooths do not have [[Swim bladder|swim bladders]], and the [[stomach]] is highly distensible.

Evermannella are [[Aulopiformes|aulopiforms]] that have [[fusiform]] body structures, resulting in the fish being more deep anteriorly. This is in contrast to the elongated bodies of most other [[Aulopiformes|aulopiforms]].<ref name=":1" />

Sabertooth fish are usually a drab, light to dark brown when preserved; however, a brassy green [[iridescence]] is seen on the flanks, cheeks, and ocular region of well-preserved specimens. The naked skin is easily torn. The [[Atlantic sabertooth]] (''Coccorella Atlantica'') is the largest species, at up to 18.5 cm standard length.

== Life history ==
Almost nothing is known of the biology and ecology of evermannellids. They are active, visual [[predator]]s and confine themselves to the [[pelagic zone|mesopelagic zone]], about 400m - 1000m for adults.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":3" /> However, larvae and small juvenile sabertooth fishes tend to be found at depth ranges between 50m - 100m, descending to deeper water with age.<ref name=":0" /> At these depths, extremely little light is available; the view from below is like the sky at twilight. The sabertooth fish use their telescopic, upward-pointing eyes— which are thus adapted for improved terminal vision at the expense of lateral vision— to pick out [[squid]], [[cuttlefish]], and smaller fish silhouetted against the gloom above them.

Their distensible stomachs allow sabertooth fishes to swallow prey larger than themselves; their recurved teeth likely function in a manner similar to a [[snake]]'s, preventing a captured fish from backing out and helping to guide the fish down the sabertooth's [[pharynx]]. Sabertooth fishes are solitary animals; it is not known whether they undergo [[diel vertical migration]]s.

Their [[reproduction|reproductive]] habits are poorly studied; they are assumed to be nonguarding, pelagic [[Spawn (biology)|spawn]]ers. True synchronous [[hermaphroditism]] with external [[fertilization]] is known in ''[[Evermannella indica]]'' and ''[[Odontostomops normalops]]'', and the former species appears to spawn throughout the year. Sabertooth fish [[Ichthyoplankton|larvae]] are [[plankton]]ic and have long snouts and oblong eyes before [[metamorphosis (biology)|metamorphosis]].

==See also==
*[[Oncorhynchus rastrosus|Saber-toothed salmon]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

== Sources ==
* {{FishBase_family|family=Evermannellidae|year=2012|month=April}}
* ''Fishes: An introduction to ichthyology''. Peter B. Moyle and Joseph J. Cech, Jr; p. 336. Printed in 2004. Prentice-Hall, Inc; Upper Saddle River, NJ. {{ISBN|0-13-100847-1}}
* Arronte, J. C.; Bañón, R.; Sánchez, F.; Serrano, A. (2012-03-05). "[https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/j.1439-0426.2012.01951.x On the occurrence of Odontostomops normalops (Aulopiformes: Evermannellidae) in the Bay of Biscay (north-eastern Atlantic)]". ''Journal of Applied Ichthyology''. '''28''' (4): 649–651. [[Doi (identifier)|doi]]:10.1111/j.1439-0426.2012.01951.x. [[ISSN (identifier)|ISSN]] 0175-8659.
* Maile, A. J., May, Z. A., DeArmon, E. S., Martin, R. P., & Davis, M. P. (2020). [https://meridian.allenpress.com/copeia/article/108/4/820/449020/Marine-Habitat-Transitions-and-Body-Shape Marine habitat transitions and body-shape evolution in lizardfishes and their allies (Aulopiformes)]. Copeia, 108(4), 820–832.
* Wagner, H. -J.; Fröhlich, E.; Negishi, K.; Collin, S. P. (1998-10-01). "[https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1350946298000032 The eyes of deep-sea fish II. Functional morphology of the retina]". ''Progress in Retinal and Eye Research''. '''17''' (4): 637–685. [[Doi (identifier)|doi]]:10.1016/S1350-9462(98)00003-2. [[ISSN (identifier)|ISSN]] 1350-9462.
* Nelson, Joseph S., et al. ''[https://batrachos.com/sites/default/files/pictures/Books/Nelson_ea_2016_Fishes%20of%20the%20World.pdf Fishes of the World].'' Wiley, 2016

{{Taxonbar|from=Q2140098}}

[[Category:Evermannellidae]]