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 crocodilus (Risso, 1810)

Collection: Central Indian Ocean, northwest of Port Louis, Mauritius, 15.40°S, 56.76°E, 220 m, 04.10.2015 (FORVSS 344 leg 2, St. 01), Cosmos trawl.

Voucher No.: CMLRE IO/SS/FIS/00501

Description: Fin formula: D 14, A 17, P 14, V 8. Short pectoral fins located just behind gill opening. 3 photophores on cheek, photophores present along ventral post-anal region. Supra-pectoral organ just half a diameter photophore below LL (Lateral line). SAO3 and Pol on lateral line). Pectoral organ elevated, ventral organ almost a straight line. SAO forming arc. SAO1 after and above VO2, and SAO2 above VO4. Supra-ventral organ nearer to lateral line. Prc4 on lateral line.

Biological association: None.

Remarks: New record of mesopelagic lanternfish from Indian Ocean

Distribution: Mediterranean Sea, Eastern and Western Atlantic Oceans, and Central Indian Ocean. Depth range: 0–1200 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.