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marlin
marlin, fast, predatory, warm-water fish of the family Istiophoridae characterized by having a long bill on the upper jaw that they use to stun their prey. The largest is the blue marlin (Maikaira nigricans), which in 25 years grows to a length of 4.5 metres (14.7 ft), and weighs up to 1,300 kilograms (2,866 lb). A relative, the sailfish (Istiphorus platypterus), holds the oceanic speed record, taking out 91 metres (300 ft) of line in 3 seconds—a speed of 109 kilometres per hour (68 mph).
Marlin generate such fast speeds by having red muscles, which are very rich in mitochondria that generate the muscle's energy. Heat is conserved in the muscle by the blood supply flowing through a counter-flow system keeping the muscle 10 °C (50 °F) warmer than the surrounding sea water. When they sprint, their main bulk of white muscle comes into action providing the additional power, but as in all sprinters, an oxygen debt quickly builds up and the white muscles become exhausted. Marlin are prime sporting fish. In the USA alone there are 200,000 deep-water anglers, whose ambition is to catch a record-sized marlin. When long-lining was introduced in the 1960s, a quarter of a million marlin weighing 5,000 tonnes were caught annually in the Atlantic, but despite the conservation efforts of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), catches have fallen by 80%. ICCAT manages all the stocks of fishes that migrate transoceanically and are caught by long-lines and in purse seine nets in the open ocean. So serious is the problem that sea-anglers now use unbarbed hooks so any marlin they bring alongside can be released. M. V. Angel |
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"marlin." The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "marlin." The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O225-marlin.html "marlin." The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea. 2006. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O225-marlin.html |
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marlin
marlin common name for open-sea fish related to the sailfish and swordfish (family Istiophoridae) and prized by sportsmen. The best known is the blue marlin of the genus Makaira, found in the Gulf Stream as far north as Long Island. It may reach 1,000 lb (454 kg) in weight. The upper jaw of the marlin extends into a long spike with which it clubs the small fish on which it feeds. The striped marlin of the Pacific reaches a weight of 300 to 400 lb (135–180 kg); the paler white marlin of the Atlantic rarely exceeds 100 lb (45 kg). Marlins are classified in the phylum Chordata , subphylum Vertebrata, class Osteichthyes, order Perciformes, family Istiophoridae. |
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"marlin." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "marlin." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-marlin.html "marlin." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-marlin.html |
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Istiophoridae
Istiophoridae (marlin, sailfish, spear-fish; subclass Actinopterygii, order Perciformes) A small family of marine fish that have strongly streamlined bodies, a long bill (upper jaw), and a high dorsal fin, which is even more accentuated in the sailfish. When swimming, the long-based dorsal fin is folded down into a special groove at the back. The deeply forked tail fin has very long dorsal and ventral lobes. Makaira nigricans (blue marlin) can grow to about 5 m; Istiophorus platypterus (sailfish) grows to about 2.5 m. There are about 10 species, distributed world-wide in tropical to subtropical seas.
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MICHAEL ALLABY. "Istiophoridae." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "Istiophoridae." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-Istiophoridae.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "Istiophoridae." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-Istiophoridae.html |
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marlin
marlin Any of several species of large marine fish found in warm waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, especially the blue marlin (Makaira mitsukurii); it is often fished for sport. The marlin is blue with a coppery tint and violet side markings. The fins and long snout are sharply pointed. Length: to 8m (26ft); weight: 635kg (1400lb). Family Istiophoridae.
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"marlin." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "marlin." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-marlin.html "marlin." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-marlin.html |
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marlin
mar·lin / ˈmärlən/ • n. a large edible billfish (genera Makaira and Tetrapterus) of warm seas. Several species include the striped marlin (T. audax). |
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"marlin." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "marlin." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-marlin.html "marlin." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-marlin.html |
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marlin
marlin See ISTIOPHORIDAE.
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Cite this article
MICHAEL ALLABY. "marlin." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "marlin." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-marlin.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "marlin." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-marlin.html |
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marlin
marlin •Alun, Malin, Tallinn
•Jacklin • franklin
•chaplain, Chaplin
•ratline
•Carlin, marlin, marline, Stalin
•Helen, Llewelyn
•Mechlin
•Emlyn, gremlin, Kremlin
•Galen • capelin • kylin • Evelyn
•Enniskillen, penicillin, villein
•Hamelin • Marilyn • discipline
•Colin, Dolin
•goblin, hobgoblin
•Loughlin
•Joplin, poplin
•compline • tarpaulin
•Magdalen, maudlin
•bowline, pangolin
•Ventolin • moulin • Lublin • Brooklyn
•masculine • insulin • globulin
•mullein • Dublin • dunlin • muslin
•kaolin • chamberlain • Michelin
•madeleine • Mary Magdalene
•Gwendolen • francolin • mescaline
•formalin • lanolin
•adrenalin, noradrenalin
•crinoline • zeppelin • cipolin
•Carolyn • Jocelyn • porcelain • Ritalin
•Ottoline
•javelin, ravelin
•Rosalyn
•merlin, purlin
•Dunfermline • purslane
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Cite this article
"marlin." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "marlin." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-marlin.html "marlin." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-marlin.html |
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