Anomalopidae

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Anomalopidae
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Trachichthyiformes
Suborder: Trachichthyoidei
Family: Anomalopidae
T. N. Gill, 1889
Genera[1]

Anomalops
Kryptophanaron
Parmops
Photoblepharon
Phthanophaneron
Protoblepharon

Anomalopidae (lanterneye fishes or flashlight fishes) are a family of fish distinguished by bioluminescent organs located underneath their eyes, for which they are named. These light organs contain luminous bacteria and can be "shut off" by the fish using either a dark lid or by being drawn into a pouch. They are used to communicate, attract prey, and evade predators.[2]

Flashlight fish are found in tropical ocean waters across the world.[3] They are typically about 14 cm (5.5 in) in size, although some species can reach twice this length. They are nocturnal, feeding at night on small crustaceans. Some species move to shallow waters near coral reefs at night, but otherwise, they are exclusively deep water fish.[4] This tends to make their collection difficult, and as such they are a poorly understood group.[5]

Anomalopidae were originally divided into 5 distinct species:[6] Anomalops katoptron and Photoblepharon palpebratus, widely distributed in the central and western Pacific Ocean; P. steinitzi from the Red Sea and Comoro Islands; Kryptophanaron alfredi from the Caribbean; and K. harveyi from Baja California.[6] In 2019 the genus Photoblepharon was reduced to only 2 species: P. palpebratum from the eastern Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean and P. steinitzi from the Red Sea, Oman, and western Indian Ocean.[7] Other genera include Parmops and Phthanophaneron.

References[edit]

  1. ^ Froese, Rainer, and Daniel Pauly, eds. (2012). "Anomalopidae" in FishBase. October 2012 version.
  2. ^ Morin, J.G.; et al. (1975). "Light for all reasons - versatility in behavioral repertoire of flashlight fish". Science. 190: 74–76. doi:10.1126/science.190.4209.74. S2CID 83905458.
  3. ^ Johnson, G. David; et al. (1988). "Mechanisms of light organ occlusion in flashlight fishes, family Anomalopidae (Teleostei:Beryciformes), and the evolution of the group". Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 94: 65–96. doi:10.1111/j.1096-3642.1988.tb00882.x.
  4. ^ Paxton, John R. (1998). Paxton, J.R.; Eschmeyer, W.N. (eds.). Encyclopedia of Fishes. San Diego: Academic Press. p. 162. ISBN 0-12-547665-5.
  5. ^ McCosker, John E.; et al. (1987). "Notes on the Biology, Taxonomy, and Distribution of Flashlight Fishes (Beryciformes: Anomalopidae)". Japanese Journal of Ichthyology. 34 (2): 157–164. doi:10.1007/BF02912410. S2CID 81261778.
  6. ^ a b McCosker, John E.; Rosenblatt, Richard H. (September 1987). "Notes on the biology, taxonomy, and distribution of flashlight fishes (Beryciformes: Anomalopidae)". Japanese Journal of Ichthyology. 34 (2): 157–164. doi:10.1007/bf02912410. ISSN 0021-5090. S2CID 81261778.
  7. ^ Golani, Daniel; Fricke, Ronald; Appelbaum-Golani, Brenda (2019-03-15). "Review of the genus Photoblepharon (Actinopterygii: Beryciformes: Anomalopidae)". Acta Ichthyologica et Piscatoria. 49 (1): 33–41. doi:10.3750/aiep/02530. ISSN 0137-1592. S2CID 92090787.

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