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tarpon
tarpon , common name for members of the family Elopidae, large herringlike game fish of the warm seas of the Western Hemisphere, ranging occasionally from Long Island to Brazil and to the west coast of Africa and entering freshwater streams freely. Their heavy, silvery scales, sometimes used as ornaments, give them the name silver king. Tarpons average 6 ft (183 cm) in length and 150 lb (67.5 kg) in weight, although some may be over 8 ft (244 cm) long and weigh more than 300 lb (135 kg). Active and predacious, they prey on schools of small fry. They are favorites of deep-sea fishermen, particularly Tarpon atlanticus, found in the warmer parts of the Atlantic Ocean. Tarpons are classified in the phylum Chordata , subphylum Vertebrata, class Osteichthyes, order Clupeiformes, family Elopidae. |
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"tarpon." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "tarpon." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-tarpon.html "tarpon." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-tarpon.html |
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Megalopidae
Megalopidae (tarpon; subclass Actinopterygii, order Elopiformes) A small family of marine fish that have a streamlined body and silvery scales. The mouth is in a slightly oblique position with the lower jaw protruding. All the fins are softrayed. The dorsal fin is located midway along the back, and the last ray is extended into a long, filamentous tip. The forked tail fin is indicative of a strong swimmer. There are two species, found in tropical and subtropical oceans.
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MICHAEL ALLABY. "Megalopidae." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "Megalopidae." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-Megalopidae.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "Megalopidae." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-Megalopidae.html |
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tarpon
tar·pon / ˈtärpən/ • n. a large tropical marine fish (family Megalopidae) of herringlike appearance. Two species: Tarpon atlanticus, a prized Atlantic game fish, and Megalops cyprinoides of the Indo-Pacific. |
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"tarpon." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "tarpon." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-tarpon.html "tarpon." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-tarpon.html |
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tarpon
tarpon Tropical, marine game fish. Blue and bright silver, it has a long, forked tail. Length: to 1.8m (6ft); weight: to 150kg (300lb). Species include the small Pacific Megalops cyprinoides and the large Atlantic M. atlanticus. Family Elopidae.
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Cite this article
"tarpon." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "tarpon." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-tarpon.html "tarpon." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-tarpon.html |
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tarpon
tarpon large game-fish. XVII. — Du. tarpoen, of unkn. orig.
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T. F. HOAD. "tarpon." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "tarpon." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-tarpon.html T. F. HOAD. "tarpon." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-tarpon.html |
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tarpon
tarpon See MEGALOPIDAE.
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Cite this article
MICHAEL ALLABY. "tarpon." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "tarpon." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-tarpon.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "tarpon." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-tarpon.html |
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tarpon
tarpon
•Buchanan, cannon, canon, colcannon, Louisianan, Montanan, Rhiannon, Shannon
•Botswanan
•Lennon, pennon, tenon
•Canaan
•Burkinan, Henan
•finnan
•phenomenon, prolegomenon
•Parthenon
•Arizonan, Conan, Ronan
•Lebanon • Algernon • Vernon
•Groningen • Vlissingen
•Tongan, wrong'un
•cap'n, happen
•dampen, lampern
•aspen
•parpen, sharpen, tarpon
•weapon • hempen
•capon, misshapen
•cheapen, deepen, steepen
•tympan • ripen • saucepan • open
•lumpen
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Cite this article
"tarpon." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "tarpon." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-tarpon.html "tarpon." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-tarpon.html |
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