User:Gummycrown/Giant oarfish/Bibliography

Oka, Si., Nakamura, M., Nozu, R. et al. (2020). First observation of larval oarfish, Regalecus russelii, from fertilized eggs through hatching, following artificial insemination in captivity. Zoological Lett 6, 4. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40851-020-00156-6


 * Primary peer reviewed paper consisting of observational data on the life cycle of oarfish
 * Laboratory research, not field work, consistency of specimens bred and raised in captivity
 * Parent oarfish both died shortly after capture, likely why this paper does not examine the adult fish life cycle
 * Instead, offers a first look into the juvenile life cycle of oarfish, from eggs to larvae

Roberts, T.R. ( 2012). Systematics, Biology, and Distribution of the Species of the Oceanic Oarfish Genus Regalecus (Teleostei, Lampridiformes, Regalecidae). Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Paris, 268. (Mémoires du Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle ; 202). https://sciencepress.mnhn.fr/en/collections/memoires-du-museum-national-d-histoire-naturelle/systematique-biologie-et-distribution-des-especes-de-regalecs-marins-du-genre-regalecus-teleostei-lampridiformes-regalecidae


 * A book by the “world's foremost authority on Regalecus”
 * Detailing both the history of the genus and a compilation of the literature, describing distribution, food habits, predators, reproduction, behaviors, etc
 * Also includes images of the oarfish, photographs and drawings
 * Separates the research from the cryptozoology that exists surrounding the genus
 * Details one specific and unique behavior: self-amputation

Schmitter-Soto, J. (2008). The Oarfish, Regalecus glesne (Teleostei: Regalecidae), in the Western Caribbean. Caribbean Journal of Science, 44(1), 125-128. https://doi.org/10.18475/cjos.v44i1.a13


 * A primary peer reviewed paper describing two oarfish specimens acquired in the south of mexico
 * Extends to a discussion of oarfish distribution, especially how that intersects with ocean warming and seasons

Benfield, M.C, Cook, S., Sharuga, M., et al. (2013). Five in situ observations of live oarfish Regalecus glesne (Regalecidae) by remotely operated vehicles in the oceanic waters of the northern Gulf of Mexico. Journal of Fish Biology, 83(1), 28-38. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.12144


 * A primary peer reviewed field work paper detailing dives from 2008 - 2011 where five live oarfish were observed in their natural habitat
 * This was done as part of the SERPENT project, and used industrial ROVs to secure these videos
 * Since most of our knowledge on oarfish comes from dead or dying specimens washed up at shallow depths, this paper offers a special and unique look at these fish in their natural habitat, the deep sea

Helfman, G.S. (2015). Secrets of a sea serpent revealed. Environ Biol Fish, 98, 1723–1726. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-015-0380-x


 * A unique source, a review of a book on oarfish, that book being: Systematics, biology, and distribution of the species of the oceanic oarfish genus Regalecus (Teleostei, Lampridiformes, Regalecidae)
 * A personal account by Helfman of his conversations with the author, as well as a robust summary of the main concepts from the book
 * Helfman was asked of be a reviewer of this piece, and was so taken by the book that he wrote this piece explaining the significance of the book and its takeaways

Jack Manoog

Dragičević, B., Pallaoro, A., Grgičević, R., Lipej, L., & Dulčić, J. (2011). On the Occurrence of Early Life Stage of the King of Herrings, Regalecus glesne (Actinopterygii: Lampriformes: Regalecidae), in the Adriatic Sea. Acta Ichthyologica Et Piscatoria, 41(3), 251-253. doi:10.3750/AIP2011.41.3.13.


 * A description of the first recorded discovery of a Regalecus glesne larva in the Adriatic Sea.
 * Includes observations of the larva swimming in its natural habitat and a qualitative description of the morphology and coloration of the larva.
 * Includes two photographs of the captured larva and a table comparing measurements and morphology of the few previous observations of Regalecus glesne larvae from 1975 and 1980 to the newly observed larva.
 * Overall, provides a summary description of the rarely observed larval stage of Regalecus glesne based on past and current observations.

Forsgren, L. K., Homam, J., Barrios, A., & Paig-Tran, E. W. M. (2017). Reproductive Morphology of Oarfish (Regalecus russellii). The Anatomical Record, 300(9), 1695-1704. doi:10.1002/ar.23605.


 * A study of the reproductive structures of Regalecus russellii utilizing four deceased organisms: two males and two females.
 * Utilizes photographs, histological cross-sections, and measurements to describe the ovaries and testes of the four sampled Regalecus russellii.
 * By observing gonad morphology, the study was able to better describe the process of gamete formation in both male and female Regalecus russellii. While ovarian morphology in females had been previously described, this study provides the first description of Regalecus russellii testes morphology and the first model for sperm cell development.
 * By comparing the gonad morphology of Regalecus russelii to to similar gonad morphologies of organisms with known reproductive patterns, the authors hypothesize that Regalecus russellii are batch spawners with incredibly high fecundity and the ability to participate in multiple spawning events in a single season.

Kuris, A. M., Jaramillo, A. G., McLaughlin, J. P., Weinstein, S. B., & Garcia-Vedrenne, A. E. (2015). Monsters of the Sea Serpent: Parasites of an Oarfish, Regalecus russellii. The Journal of Parasitology, 101(1), 41-44. doi: 10.1645/14-581.1.


 * A study of the intestinal contents of a dead Regalecus russellii recovered by the Catalina Island Marine Institute in Santa Catalina Island, California revealed high levels of parasitization of the organism.
 * To study the parasitization of the viscera, visceral tissue was examined under microscope with identified parasites photographed, collected, and measured for analysis.
 * Comparing the parasite profile of oarfish to larger, carnivorous organisms may present a possible mechanism for identifying the predators of this rarely observed organism by tracing parasite transmission from the oarfish to the predator organism upon consumption of the oarfish. The authors conclude that potential predators of the oarfish (based on parasite overlap and likelihood of predation ability) include the shortfin mako shark and sperm whale.

Paig-Tran E. W. M., Barrios, A. S., & Ferry, L. A. (2016). Presence of Repeating Hyperostotic Bones in Dorsal Pterygiophores of the Oarfish, Regalecus russellii. Journal of Anatomy, 229(4), 560-567. doi: 10.1111/joa.12503.


 * A study of the occurrence of hyperostosis along the dorsal pterygiophores in five Regalecus russelli found stranded along the California coast between 2013 and 2015 and six specimens from the Scripps Institute of Oceanography and the LA County Natural History Museum.
 * Patterns and abundance of hyperossification were studied via dissection and tissue sampling and differed between the stranded specimens, but hyperossification was observed in the dorsal pterygiophores of all of the stranded specimens. This hyperossification was present at the distal tips of the pterygiophores in the form of hollow, highly branched bony structures.
 * The authors hypothesize that hyperossification of the dorsal pterygiophores is likely present to serve as a skeletal lever for supporting the dorsal fin levator and undulator without the need for significant bone mass in the region to assist in maintaining buoyancy for Regalecus russellii. Additionally, the findings seem to suggest the progression of hyperossification with age due to localized skeletal remodeling over the organism’s lifetime in response to repeated stresses of vertically navigating the water column.