Minispotted Lanternfish, Gymnoscopelus microlampas Hulley 1981
Minispotted Lanternfish, Gymnoscopelus microlampas. Source: Australian National Fish Collection, CSIRO. License: CC by Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
Summary:
A myctophid with small photophores, antorbital luminous tissue extending in a semi-circle on the front margin of the eye.
Cite this page as:
Bray, D.J. 2023, Gymnoscopelus microlampas in Fishes of Australia, accessed 01 Jul 2025, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/1456
Minispotted Lanternfish, Gymnoscopelus microlampas Hulley 1981
More Info
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Distribution |
Off Tasmania southwards. Elsewhere the species is circumglobal in southern waters between the Subtropical Convergence and the Antarctic Polar Front. This species undertakes vertical migration to feed in shallower waters at night. |
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Features |
Dorsal fin 18-20; Anal fin 18-20; Pectoral fin 13-15; Gill rakers (9-11)+ (21-24); Dn and Vn photophores well developed; PO photophores 5; AO photophores in two series (9-10)+(6-8), AOa1 photophore greatly elevated above others in series; Prc photophores in two groups (3-4)+1. |
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Size |
Maxilla slightly expanded posteriorly, extending well beyond orbit. Dorsal-fin base longer than anal-fin base. Dn and Vn well developed; 5-7 PO; 5-6 VO; AO series divided into AOa and AOp; 2 Pol; Prc series in 1 or 2 groups. |
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Etymology |
The specific name microlampas is from the Latin micro- (= small) and lampas (= lamp, light, torch), in reference to the “noticeably small” body photophores of this species. |
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Species Citation |
Gymnoscopelus (Nasolychnus) microlampas Hulley 1981, Archiv für Fischereiwissenschaft 31(1): 266, fig. 125Aa. Type locality: Southwestern Atlantic, 41°46.6'S, 39°58.4'W, Walther Herwig station 105/76, depth 200-210 m. |
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Author |
Bray, D.J. 2023 |
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Resources |
Minispotted Lanternfish, Gymnoscopelus microlampas Hulley 1981
References
Hulley, P.A. 1981. Results of the research cruises of FRV Walther Herwig to South America LVII. Family Myctophidae (Osteichthyes, Myctophiformes). Archiv für Fischereiwissenschaft 31(1): 1-303 figs 1-128
Hulley, P.A. 1986. Order Myctophiformes. pp. 282-322 in Smith, M.M. & Heemstra, P.C. (eds). Smith's Sea Fishes. Johannesburg : Macmillan South Africa xx + 1047 pp. 144 pls.
Hulley, P.A. 1990. Myctophidae. pp. 146-178 in Gon, O. & Heemstra, P.C. (eds). Fishes of the Southern Ocean. Grahamstown : J.L.B. Smith Institute of Ichthyology 462 pp.
Robertson, D.A. & Clements, K.D. 2015. 89 Family Myctophidae. pp. 613-680 in Roberts, C.D., Stewart, A.L. & Struthers, C.D. The Fishes of New Zealand. Wellington : Te Papa Press Vol. 3 pp. 577-1152.
Williams, A. 2019. Gymnoscopelus microlampas. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T129297101A129564973. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T129297101A129564973.en. Accessed on 06 February 2023.
Williams, A. & Koslow, J.A. 1997. Species composition, biomass and vertical distribution of micronekton over the mid-slope region off southern Tasmania, Australia. Marine Biology 130: 259-276. https://doi.org/10.1007/s002270050246
