Lampanyctus hubbsi, a New Myctophid Fish from the East-Central Tropical Pacific Ocean, with Notes on the Related, Sympatric Eastern Pacific Species, L. omostigma and L. parvicauda

Abstract

A new species of myctophid fish, Lampanyctus hubbsi, from the EastCentral Tropical Pacific Ocean, is described and figured. A critical comparison of the new species with the related and sympatric forms L. omostigma and the subspecies L. o. parvicauda resulted in the need to elevate the latter to full species rank. A markedly enlarged pattern of distribution of these two species proved to be rather closely associated with the Equatorial Current Complex, but even more so with the pronounced oxygen-minimum layer underlying much of the Central and Eastern Tropical Pacific. Capture data indicate that a predominance of both species was taken within the vertical range of this minimum layer and that there may be a difference in the levels inhabited by these two species, inasmuch as a third more specimens of L. omostigma were taken in hauls above 500 meters than were those of L. parvicauda.