A New Genus and Species of Myctophid Fish from the South-Central Pacific Ocean, with Notes on Related Genera and the Designation of a New Tribe, Electronini

Abstract

A myctophid fish, Metelectrona ahlstromi, from the South-Central Pacific Ocean, is described and figured as a new genus and species. The new genus represents an evolutionary advancement beyond the primitive myctophids heretofore usually referred to the genus Electrona, in that the series of anal photophores instead of being unbroken is divided into two units by the elevation of two anal photophores-an arrangement that is common to all the more advanced genera of Myctophidae. Electrona, divided into three genera, and Metelectrona, are classed in a new tribe, Electronini.