Lepisosteidae

Lepisosteidae, commonly known as gars, is a family of ray-finned fishes comprising two extant genera, Lepisosteus and Atractosteus. They include several well-known species, such as the longnose gar (Lepisosteus osseus), shortnose gar (Lepisosteus platostomus), spotted gar (Lepisosteus oculatus), and the alligator gar (Atractosteus spatula).

Members are distinguished by their elongated bodies and jaws filled with sharp teeth. They possess ganoid scales—diamond-shaped, enamel-like plates that provide considerable armor. The fins are positioned toward the posterior part of the body, and the tail is typically adapted for fast propulsion.

Range and habitat: Gars are native to North America, Central America, and parts of the Caribbean, inhabiting freshwater and brackish environments such as rivers, lakes, floodplains, and marshes. They are most common in the Mississippi River drainage and Gulf Coast regions.

Ecology and biology: They are apex or mesopredators in many ecosystems, feeding on fish, amphibians, and crustaceans. Gars can breathe air using a vascularized gas bladder, allowing survival in low-oxygen waters and enabling occasional surface breathing.

Reproduction: Spawning occurs in spring or early summer in shallow, vegetation-rich waters. Eggs are adhesive and remain attached to vegetation or substrate. In many species, parental care is absent, and hatchlings emerge after several days.

Evolution and fossil record: The Lepisosteidae have a long fossil history dating back to the Cretaceous period. Extant gars retain primitive features and are sometimes described as living fossils.

Taxonomy and conservation: The family is divided into two extant genera, Lepisosteus and Atractosteus. Conservation status varies by species and region; some populations face threats from habitat loss, pollution, and overfishing, while others remain abundant and commercially fished for sport.