Diaphus dumerilii

Diaphus dumerilii, Disjunctlight Lanternfish. Source: FAO 2020.
Diaphus dumerilii, Disjunctlight Lanternfish. Source: FAO 2020.
FamilyScientific NameAuthorYearCommon Name
MyctophidaeDiaphus dumerilii(Bleeker)1856Disjunct Lanternfish

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 dumerilii

Unique Characteristics: So absent. Dn small, shallowly embedded and directed laterally; Vn equally small, completely separated from Dn and located at ventral margin of orbit, or somewhat larger and located at anteroventral margin of orbit and connected with Dn by a narrow streak of luminous tissue between eye and nasal apparatus. Vn small, about half size of general body photophore, completely separated from Dn, and located at ventral orbital margin on or slightly in advance of vertical through anterior margin of pupil; SAO noticeably angulate; AOa1 not elevated (FAO 2020).

Similar Species:

Diaphus bertelseni – Biglights Lampfish

Diaphus brachycephalus – Shorthead 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.