New record of mesopelagic lanternfish from Indian Ocean

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Teleostei J.P. Müller, 1845

Order: Myctophiformes Regan, 1911

Family: Myctophidae Gill, 1893

Lampanyctus macdonaldi (Goode & Bean, 1896)

Collection: Central Indian Ocean, northwest of Chagos archipelago, 5.44°S, 65.96°E, 400 m, 16.09.2015 (FORVSS 344 leg 1, St. 11), Cosmos trawl.

Voucher No.: CMLRE IO/SS/FIS/00495

Description: Fin formula: D 14–15, A 18, P 12, V 8. Suprapectoral organ below lateral line about one-third distance to pectoral origin, Supraventral slightly nearer lateral line than to pelvic origin and slightly before vertical from that origin. Line through Supra-anal1, 2 & VLO passes below suprapectoral; SAO1 slightly behind vertical from VO5, slightly above level of SAO3. Anterior anal series evenly spaced, occasionally very slightly curved, or slightly depressed. No posterior anal over anal base. Precaudal & posterior anal often continuous, upper Prc at end of lateral line and distant from closely spaced first 3. Luminous scale before adipose base weakly developed, deciduous, 2–4 weak luminous scales in supra-caudal gland, 7–9 in infracaudal gland, latter usually extending to near base of last anal ray.

Biological association: None.

Remarks: New record of mesopelagic lanternfish from Indian Ocean

Distribution: Eastern and Western Atlantic Oceans, Southern Ocean and Central Indian Ocean. Depth range: 60–1464 m.

Distribution map:

Identified by: Meera K.M.

Publication: Meera K.M., Sanjeevan V.N., Raghu Prakash R., Hashim M. (2024) An updated checklist of myctophids of Western Indian Ocean with 6 new records. Regional Studies in Marine Science, 73: 103450.