Lepisosteidae

A Dictionary of Zoology | 1999 | 600 words | Copyright

Lepisosteidae (Lepidosteidae; gars; infraclass Holostei, order Semionotiformes) A small family of freshwater fish that have a slender, cigar-shaped body and long jaws bearing many teeth. The anal and single dorsal fins are located far back on the body, close to the rounded tail fin. Living in shallow, weedy waters, gars have a vascularized swim-bladder that enables them to take in air when necessary. Found only in N. America, they range from Quebec Province to Costa Rica and, in the case of Lepisosteus (Lepidosteus) spatula (alligator gar), reach a length of 3 m. There are about seven species.

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "Lepisosteidae." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "Lepisosteidae." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-Lepisosteidae.html

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