ABSTRACT
The Giganturidae (telescope fishes) is a small family, comprised of two species; Gigantura chuni, and G. indica (Brauer, 1901). Specimens of giganturids have been collected in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. They are distinct in that they exhibit an unusually long larval stage, as well as a late and unique transformation. They have developmental characteristics that are considered to be neotenic. The larvae and early juveniles were once thought to be members of a separate genus; Rosaura rotunda (Tucker 1954). Subsequently, the late Elbert H.Ahlstrom and F.H.Berry made the connection between the larval and adult giganturids (and Rosaura), due to their sharing 1) high pectoral fin counts, and 2) an unusual 10+6(7) principle caudal ray count. Giganturid larvae live a lengthy epipelagic existence. They then complete a delayed metamorphosis to adapt to life at a deeper habitat as deep meso-or upper-bathypelagic adults. Both Gigantura chuni, and G. indica are synchronous hermaphrodites. Their life history, unusual neotenic morphogenesis, and species descriptions are expertly discussed and illustrated in Johnson and Bertelsen (1991). Gigantura chuni
Specimens previously identified as Bathyleptus (Walters, 1961) and Rosaura (Tucker, 1954) were both later identified as junior synonyms of Gigantura by Johnson and Bertelsen, 1991. G. gracilis, and G. vorax (Reagan 1925) were later re-identified as members of G. indica and G. chuni respectively (Johnson and Bertelsen, 1991).
