Midget deepsea lanternfish [Ceratoscopelus townsendi]
Description
The midget deepsea lanternfish, or Ceratoscopelus townsendi, is a small species found in the mesopelagic and bathypelagic zones of the world’s major oceans. It is especially abundant in the North Pacific. This species is characterized by its small size, not exceeding 3.5cm in length, and its numerous photophores, which are used for bioluminescence. Its diet primarily consists of zooplankton.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Chordates
Chordata
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Fish
Actinopterygii
|
| Order |
Lanternfishes
Myctophiformes
|
| Family |
Lanternfishes
Myctophidae
|
| Genus |
Ceratoscopelus
Ceratoscopelus
|