Moridae Explained

The Moridae are a family of cod-like fishes, known as codlings, hakelings, and moras.

Morids are marine fishes found throughout the world, and may be found at depths to 2500m (8,200feet), although most prefer shallower waters. In appearance, they greatly resemble the typical cods, from which can only be distinguished by their skeletal features and the structure of the swim bladder.^[1]

They grow up to 90cm (40inches) long (red codling, Pseudophycis bachus).

Taxonomy

The following genera are known:

• Antimora Günther, 1878
• Auchenoceros Günther, 1889
• Eeyorius Paulin, 1986
• Eretmophorus Giglioli, 1889
• Gadella Lowe, 1843
• Guttigadus Taki, 1953
• Halargyreus Günther, 1862
• Laemonema Günther, 1862
• Lepidion Swainson, 1838
• Lotella Kaup, 1858
• Mora Risso, 1827
• Notophycis Sazonov, 2001
• Physiculus Kaup, 1858
• Pseudophycis Günther, 1862
• Rhynchogadus Tortonese, 1948
• Salilota Günther, 1887
• Svetovidovia Cohen, 1973
• Tripterophycis Boulenger, 1902

The following fossil genera are known:

• †Eophycis Jerzmańska, 1968 (Early Oligocene of France, Poland, and North Caucasus, Russia)^[2]
• †Fanteichthys Carnevale, 2005 (Middle Miocene of Italy)^[3]

An indeterminate fossil morid is known from the Late Oligocene or Early Miocene of Chubut, Argentina.^[4]

Notes and References

1. Book: Paxton, J.R. . Eschmeyer, W.N.. Cohen, Daniel M.. 1998. Encyclopedia of Fishes. Academic Press. San Diego. 132. 0-12-547665-5.
2. Přikryl . Tomáš . 2015-11-01 . Skeletal anatomy of the early morid fish Eophycis (Gadiformes, Moridae) from an Oligocene deposit in Poland . Comptes Rendus Palevol . 14 . 8 . 625–635 . 10.1016/j.crpv.2015.08.004 . 1631-0683 . subscription. 11104/0253101 . free .
3. Carnevale . Giorgio . 2007 . Fossil fishes from the Serravallian (Middle Miocene) of Torricella Peligna, Italy . Palaeontographia Italica . 91 . 1-67.
4. Bogan . Sergio . Bogan . Sergio . Agnolín . Federico L. . 2011-12-01 . Registro de Moridae (Teleostei: Gadiformes) en la Formación Chenque (Oligoceno Tardío-Mioceno Temprano) de la provincia de Chubut, Argentina . Revista del Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales.