What is Allegator Gar?

About Allegator Gar:

• It is a  ray-finned euryhaline fish and is one of the largest of all freshwater fishes.
• Scientific Name: Atractosteus spatula
• It is the largest species in the Gar family.
• The fossil record traces its group’s existence back to the Early Cretaceous over 100 million years ago.
• Gars are often referred to as “primitive fishes”, or “living fossils” because they have retained some morphological characteristics of their early ancestors.
• Distribution: Central and North America
• Features:
  • It is distinguished by its crocodile-like head and razor-sharp teeth. 
  • It can grow up to 8 feet long and weigh more than 300 pounds.
  • Adults have two rows of large teeth on either side of the upper jaw.
  • Colouration is generally brown or olive above and lighter underneath. 
  • They can live for many decades. 
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN: Least Concerned

What are euryhaline organisms?

• They are a type of mostly marine organisms with the ability to adapt to a wide range of water salinities. 
• They can survive either in freshwater, saltwater or brackish water.
• Some euryhaline organisms migrate between freshwater and saltwater habitats during their life cycle. Some examples of such organisms are salmon, eels, etc.

Q1) What are euryhaline organisms?

They are a type of mostly marine organisms with the ability to adapt to a wide range of water salinities. They can survive either in freshwater, saltwater or brackish water.

Source: Discovery of predator alligator fish in Srinagar’s Dal Lake triggers surprise

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