Family NEOSCOPELIDAE
Neoscopelids, New Lanternfishes
Compiler and date details
John R. Paxton & Jennifer E. Gates
Introduction
The Neoscopelidae comprise three genera and six described species worldwide. One genus, with three described and one undescribed species, occurs in Australian waters. The undescribed species found in Australian waters off the Northwest Shelf, Western Australia (117º41´-118º17´E) in 396-420 m is closely related to Neoscopelus microchir. The family was reviewed by Nafpaktitis (1977).
Neoscopelids are known to occur in all three oceans. Neoscopelus, the only genus with photophores, and the monotypic Solivomer, known only from the Philippines, are benthopelagic over slope waters. Species of Scopelengys are meso- or bathypelagic. Maximum length attained is slightly more than 30 cm.
General References
Nafpaktitis, B.G. 1977. Family Neoscopelidae. In, Gibbs, R.H. (ed.) Fishes of the western North Atlantic. Memoir. Sears Foundation of Marine Research 1(7): 1-12 figs 1-5
Common Name References
Paxton, J.R., Hoese, D.F., Allen, G.R. & Hanley, J.E. (eds) 1989. Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Pisces: Petromyzontidae to Carangidae. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service Vol. 7 665 pp. [252] (New Lanternfishes)
Paxton, J.R. & Hulley, P.A. 1999. Families Neoscopelidae. pp. 1955-1956 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, V.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 3 pp. 1397-2068. [1955] (FAO) (Neoscopelids)
History of changes
| Published | As part of group | Action Date | Action Type | Compiler(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12-Feb-2010 | (import) |