New record of mesopelagic lanternfish from the Indian Ocean

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Teleostei J.P. Müller, 1845

Order: Myctophiformes Regan, 1911

Family: Myctophidae Gill, 1893

Diaphus similis Wisner, 1974

Collection: Southeastern Arabian Sea, east of Kadmat Island, Lakshadweep, 11.18°N, 73.01°E, 320 m, 11.10.2013 (FORVSS 320, St. 09), Cosmos trawl.

Voucher No.: CMLRE IO/SS/FIS/00482

Description: Fin formula: D 14, A 15, P 12–13, V 8. Dorsonasal & ventronasal organs small but conspicuous, widely separated. Vn organ distinctly rounded, occasionally protruding into orbital rim, a little before vertical from hind margin of orbit, with streak of pigmented tissue surrounding it. Suprapectoral organ slightly below midway between lateral line & pelvic origin. First Anterior anal organ elevated to about level of Supra-anal organ. No small mounds of pigmented tissue anterior to Vn. Luminous tissue present at PLO.

Biological association: None.

Remarks: New record of mesopelagic lanternfish from Indian Ocean

Distribution: Eastern Central Pacific Ocean and Northern Indian Ocean. Depth range: 0–631 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.

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