Diaphus bertelseni

Diaphus bertelseni, Biglights Lampfish. Source: Nafpaktitis 1966.
Diaphus bertelseni, Biglights Lampfish. Source: Nafpaktitis 1966.
Diaphus bertelseni, Biglights Lampfish. Source: FAO 2020.
Diaphus bertelseni, Biglights Lampfish. Source: FAO 2020.
FamilyScientific NameAuthorYearCommon Name
MyctophidaeDiaphus bertelseniNafpaktitis1966Biglights Lampfish

All Diaphus Species: Three or more Prc (1 may be at or above lateral midline at base of caudal peduncle). Dn present; either 2 horizontal Pol near lateral line or VO1-3 on a straight ascending line with VO4-5 level. VO1-3 on a straight, inclined, ascending line with VO4-5 level; caudal glands absent; 1 Pol. More than 1 pair of luminous glands on head (Ant, Dn, Vn, or So); usually a luminous scale at PLO (FAO 2002).

Diaphus sp. Source: Nafpaktitis 1966.
Diaphus sp. Source: Nafpaktitis 1966.
Diaphus sp. Source: FAO 2002.
Diaphus sp. Source: FAO 2002.

Diaphus bertelseni

Unique Characteristics: So absent. Dn ranging in size from smaller than body photophore to much larger than nasal rosette, in more-or-less deep recess and directed forward; Vn may be (a) restricted to ventral margin of orbit, (b) restricted to anteroventral margin of orbit, (c) extending dorsally to reach Dn, or (d) spread over most of entire area of snout. Vn widely separated from Dn, not extending dorsally beyond upper margin of nasal apparatus, confined to ventral or anteroventral aspect of orbit, but some connected to Dn by a strand of dark tissue along anterior margin of orbit. SAO1 above level of VO5; upper jaw extending less than 1 eye diameter behind vertical through posterior margin of orbit. Body photophores large, those of AOp series separated by spaces equal to 1/2 AOp photophore diameter, or less, relatively smaller in specimens > 80 mm; VLO nearer to pelvic-fin base than to lateral line; gill rakers 5 (rarely 6) + 1 + 12 (rarely 11 or 13), total 18 (19, rarely 17) (FAO 2020).

Diaphus brachycephalus – Shorthead Lanternfish

Diaphus dumerilii – Disjunctlight Lanternfish

Diaphus fragilis – Fragile Headlightfish

Diaphus garmani – Wide Lanternfish

Diaphus lucidus – Spotlight Lanternfish

Diaphus metopoclampus – Bluntnose Lanternfish

Diaphus minax – “Minax” Lanternfish

Diaphus mollis – Soft Lanternfish

Diaphus perspicillatus – Flatface Lanternfish

Diaphus problematicus – Problematic Headlightfish

Diaphus rafinesquii – Lightscale Lampfish

Diaphus splendidus – Splendid Lanternfish

Diaphus subtilis – Flabby Lanternfish

Diaphus taaningi – Slopewater Lanternfish

Diaphus termophilus – Warmwater Headlightfish

References:

(FAO 2002). The living marine resources of the Western Central Atlantic. Volumes 1-3. K.E. Carpenter (ed.). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy. 4099p. (Available at: http://www.fao.org/3/y4160e/y4160e00.htm).

(FAO 2020). Sutton, T.T., P.A. Hulley, R. Wienerroither, D. Zaera-Perez, and J.R. Paxton. 2020. Identification guide to the mesopelagic fishes of the central and south east Atlantic Ocean. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fishery Purposes. Rome, FAO. 2020. https://doi.org/10.4060/cb0365en.

Nafpaktitis, B.G. 1966. Two new fishes of the myctophid genus Diaphus from the Atlantic Ocean. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Volume 133 (No. 9): 401-424.