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Xyrichtys

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Xyrichtys
Rosy razorfish (X. martinicensis)
Pearly razorfish (X. novacula)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Labriformes
Family: Labridae
Genus: Xyrichtys
G. Cuvier, 1814
Type species
Coryphaena novacula
Linnaeus, 1758
Synonyms
  • Hemipteronotus Lacépède, 1801 (suppressed in ICZN Opinion 1799)
  • Novacula G. Cuvier, 1815
  • Amorphocephalus S. Bowdich, 1825
  • Xyrula D. S. Jordan, 1890

Xyrichtys is a genus of wrasses native to the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans, where they are found in sandy-bottomed habitats. They are commonly known as razorfishes, as they are very laterally compressed with a sharp bony ridge at the front of their heads. This adaptation allows them to burrow very quickly into the sand at any sign of danger.

Species

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The 11 currently recognized species in this genus are:[1]

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References

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  1. ^ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Species in genus Xyrichtys". FishBase. October 2013 version.