- Classification
- ACTINOPTERYGII
- STOMIIFORMES
- STOMIIDAE
- Photonectes
- sphaerolampas
Photonectes sphaerolampas Prokofiev & Klepadlo 2019
Summary:
A scaleless dragonfish with a solid band of blue luminous tissue along the side from the gill opening to the caudal-fin base, and streaks of blue luminous tissue across the underside connecting a row of small roundish spots of blue luminous tissue along each lower side. The mental barbel bears a large spherical bulb with a darkly pigmented terminal appendage that splits into short filaments at the tip.
Cite this page as:
Bray, D.J. 2024, Photonectes sphaerolampas in Fishes of Australia, accessed 27 Jun 2025, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/Home/species/5732
Photonectes sphaerolampas Prokofiev & Klepadlo 2019
More Info
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Distribution |
Coral Sea off Cape York, Queensland. Elsewhere the species occurs in the tropical Western and Central Pacific |
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Features |
Dorsal fin 16-21; Anal fin 18-23; Vertebrae 48. A species of Photonectes with the following combination of characters: mental barbel with large spherical bulb bearing darkly pigmented terminal appendage splitting at tip into short filaments; solid longitudinal band of blue luminous tissue present along flanks from gill opening to caudal-fin base; a longitudinal row of small roundish spots of blue luminous tissue above IV photophores on each side of body, connecting with row on opposite side by transverse interrupted streaks of blue luminous tissue alternating with anterior 12 PV photophores, and high number of AC photophores (14–18). |
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Etymology |
The specific name is from the Greek sphaero- (= spherical) and lampas (= lantern), reflecting the characteristic shape of the bulb of the mental barbel. |
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Species Citation |
Photonectes sphaerolampas Prokofiev & Klepadlo 2019, Zootaxa 4590(2): 273, Figs 2-4. Type locality: Coral Sea off Cape York, Queensland, 12°40.0'S, 144°01.0'E, depth 0-120 m. |
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Author |
Bray, D.J. 2024 |
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Resources |
Photonectes sphaerolampas Prokofiev & Klepadlo 2019
References
Prokofiev, A.M. & Klepadlo, C. 2019. Two new species of Photonectes with blue luminous tissue on body, and a re-examination of P. mirabilis (Teleostei: Stomiidae). Zootaxa 4590(2): 270-282. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4590.2.4
Quick Facts
CAAB Code:37109043
Depth:0-200 m
Habitat:Epipelagic, mesopelagic
Habitat:Mesopelagic
Max Size:19 cm SL
Species Maps
CAAB distribution map