Swordfish  (Xiphias gladius)

Authentication

This information is awaiting authentication by a species expert, and will be updated as soon as possible. If you are able to help please contact:
arkive@wildscreen.org.uk

Glossary

Anal fins: In fish, an unpaired fin on the under surface of a fish, behind the anus.
Crustaceans: Diverse group of arthropods (a phylum of animals with jointed limbs and a hard chitinous exoskeleton) characterised by the possession of two pairs of antennae, one pair of mandibles (parts of the mouthparts used for handling and processing food) and two pairs of maxillae (appendages used in eating, which are located behind the mandibles). Includes crabs, lobsters, shrimps, slaters, woodlice and barnacles.
Dorsal fin: The unpaired fin found on the back of the body of fish, or the raised structure on the back of most cetaceans.
Larvae: Stage in an animal's lifecycle after it hatches from the egg. Larvae are typically very different in appearance to adults; they are able to feed and move around but usually are unable to reproduce.
Spawning: The production or depositing of large quantities of eggs in water.

References

  1. IUCN Red List (September, 2007)
    http://www.iucnredlist.org
  2. Nakamura, I. (1985) Billfishes of the World. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of marlins, sailfishes, spearfishes and swordfishes known to date. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome.
  3. Ward, P. and Elscot, S. (2000) Broadbill Swordfish: Status of World Fisheries. Bureau of Rural Sciences, Canberra.
  4. Swordfish Biological Profile, Ichthyology Department, Florida Museum of Natural History (September, 2007)
    http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/Gallery/Descript/Swordfish/Swordfish.html
  5. Burnie, D. (2001) Animal. Dorling Kindersley, London.
  6. Bello, G. (1991) Role of cephalopods in the diet of the swordfish, Xiphias gladius, from the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Bulletin of Marine Science, 49: 312 - 324.
  7. Stillwell, C.E. and Kohler, N.E. (1985) Food and feeding ecology of the swordfish Xiphias gladius in the western North Atlantic Ocean with estimates of daily ration. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 22: 239 - 247.
  8. Young, J., Lansdell, M., Riddoch, S. and Revill, A. (2006) Feeding ecology of broadbill swordfish, Xiphias gladius, off eastern Australia in relation to physical and environmental variables. Bulletin of Marine Science, 79 (3): 793 - 809.
  9. ICCAT (September, 2007)
    http://www.iccat.es/
  10. National Geographic (September, 2007)
    http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2002/11/1101_021101_Swordfish.html