New observations and ontogenetic transformation of photogenic tissues in the tubeshoulder Sagamichthys schnakenbecki (Platytroctidae, Alepocephaliformes).

Abstract

Several species of the luminescent tubeshoulder fish (family Platytroctidae) show extensive ontogenetic transformations in the development of bioluminescent structures from larvae to adults. Several types of luminescent tissues are present in platytroctids, although these tissues are poorly known for most species because specimens are rarely observed. The present study describes the ontogenetic transformation of photogenic structures in Sagamichthys schnakenbecki, a species that is found in meso and bathy-pelagic depths of the Atlantic Ocean. Five newly described luminous structures are included in addition to a review of all known bioluminescent tissues described in the family. The newly discovered photogenic tissues were observed at the pectoral-fin base in early juveniles, as a pair of large globule-like tissues inside the caudal peduncle of early juveniles, at the pelvic girdle of late juveniles and early adults and as photogenic tissue observed as pigment over the cleithral bone in adults. A peculiar skin-slit structure, which was observed only in S. schnakenbecki, is described and discussed. Skin slits were associated with certain bioluminescent structures during the transformation into adulthood. In addition, coI sequence data from nine of 13 recognized platytroctid genera were used to construct the first molecular phylogenetic tree for the family. Finally, the first photographic evidence of the rarely observed luminous discharge of a tubeshoulder shoulder organ is presented from observations off south-east Greenland.