Loosejaw [Pachystomias microdon]
Description
The loosejaw, Pachystomias microdon, is a deep-sea fish known for its unusual jaw structure. The lower jaw is nearly invisible and lacks floor, hence the name 'loosejaw'. It's a small, slender species, typically about 15 cm in length. It inhabits depths between 500 and 2,000 meters. It has large, upward-facing eyes that are very sensitive to light, allowing it to detect prey above it in the water column. The species is bioluminescent, producing its own light through photophores located on its belly and lower sides. The loosejaw's diet primarily consists of small fish and crustaceans.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Chordates
Chordata
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Fish
Actinopterygii
|
| Order |
Dragonfishes
Stomiiformes
|
| Family |
Barbeled Dragonfishes
Stomiidae
|
| Genus |
Pachystomias
Pachystomias
|