Family SCOPELARCHIDAE

Scopelarchidae

© Copyright Ros Poole.

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Introduction

The Scopelarchidae were recently reviewed by Davis (2015) who studied evolutionary relationships and recognised five genera and 18 species worldwide. Previously, Johnson (1974), recognised four genera and 17 species worldwide, and Johnson (1982) discussed evolutionary relationships. Eight species in five genera are known from Australia's EEZ.

Pearleyes are voracious deep-sea predators found worldwide, commonly at depths of 500-1,000 m as adults. They have large dorsally directed tubular and semi-tubular eyes that allow them to hunt prey above them in the deep oceanic midwaters, and are named for the oval patch of white tissue called the 'pearl organ', found on the side of the eye, the function of which remains obscure (Johnson 1974). Studies by Collin et al. (1998) and Wagner et al. (1998) indicate that they possess a number of visual specializations associated with life in the deep-sea, and are highly capable of observing the bioluminescence produced by other animals. Like most deep-sea aulopiform fishes, pearleyes are simultaneous hermaphrodites (Johnson, 1974; Davis, 2010) with functional ovotestes. Several species are bioluminescent. Maximum size is 35 cm.

General References

Collin, S.P., Hoskins, R.V. & Partridge, J.C.. 1998. Seven retinal specializations in the tubular eyes of the deep-sea pearleye, Scopelarchus michaelsarsi: a case study in visual optimisation. Brain, Behavior and Evolution 51: 291–314

Davis, M.P. 2010. Evolutionary relationships of the Aulopiformes (Euteleostei: Cyclosquamata): a molecular and total evidence approach. pp. 431-470 in Nelson, J.S., Schultze, H.-P. & Wilson, M.V.H. Origin and Phylogenetic Interrelationships of Teleosts. München, Germany : Verlag Dr. Friedrich Pfeil 480 pp.

Davis, M.P. 2015. Evolutionary relationships of the deep-sea pearleyes (Aulopiformes: Scopelarchidae) and a new genus of pearleye from Antarctic waters. Copeia 2015(1): 64-71

Johnson, R.K. 1974. A revision of the alepisauroid family Scopelarchidae (Pisces : Myctophiformes). Fieldiana Zoology 66: 1-249 figs 1-60

Johnson, R.K. 1982. Fishes of the families Evermannellidae and Scopelarchidae: systematics, morphology, interrelationships and zoogeography. Fieldiana Zoology ns 12: 1-252 figs 1-74

Wagner, H.J., Frӧhlich, E., Negishi, K. & Collin, S.P. 1998. The eyes of deep-sea fish II: functional morphology of the retina. Progress in Retinal and Eye Research 17: 637–685

Common Name References

Paxton, J.R. & Niem, V.H. 1999. Families Aulopidae, Chlorophthalmidae, Ipnopidae, Scopelarchidae, Notosudidae. pp. 1919-1927 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. [1925] (FAO) (Pearleyes)

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