Abstract
A new species, Diaphus balanovi, is described based on 35 specimens collected over the Emperor Seamount Chain in the north-western Pacific Ocean. It belongs to the D. fulgens species complex and is most similar to D. kuroshio both morphologically and genetically. Nevertheless, the new species can be distinguished from D. kuroshio by its higher gill-rakers count, large luminous scale at PLO, large Dn, somewhat higher position of SAO3, otolith shape, and larger absolute size. The CO1 mtDNA sequence of D. balanovi differs by 16 substitutions from that of D. kuroshio. Diaphus balanovi may represent a benthopelagic derivate of D. kuroshio endemic to the Emperor Seamounts.
Highlights
The genus Diaphus is the largest genus of the lanternfish family Myctophidae, with some 76 recognized recent species distributed circumglobally in temperate and tropical latitudes [1,2,3] that account for about one-third of the species diversity of the family [4]
Nafpaktitis [20] defined several species complexes and groups in Diaphus including the Diaphus theta–fulgens species complex which correlates with the So-group of Kawaguchi and Shimizu [11]
Nafpaktitis et al [2] further divided this complex into the D. fulgens and D. theta species complexes based on the position of the first AOa photophore
Summary
The genus Diaphus is the largest genus of the lanternfish family Myctophidae, with some 76 recognized recent species distributed circumglobally in temperate and tropical latitudes [1,2,3] that account for about one-third of the species diversity of the family [4]. This genus inhabits mainly mesopelagic habitats, certain species are associated with the slope and seamounts. Published data on the species composition and abundance of the Diaphus species in the northwestern Pacific are rather controversial [11,12,13,14,15], D. theta and D. kuroshio were reported as the most common and abundant species within the transition zone, including waters over the Emperor Seamounts
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
