Morphology Data of Pseudoscopelus aphos
Identification keys
Abnormalities
Main Ref. Prokofiev, A.M. and E.I. Kukuev, 2005
Appearance refers to
Bones in OsteoBase

Sex attributes

Specialized organs
Different appearance
Different colors
Remarks

Descriptive characteristics of juvenile and adult

Striking features
Body shape lateral elongated
Cross section
Dorsal head profile
Type of eyes
Type of mouth/snout
Position of mouth
Type of scales
Diagnosis

Diagnosis: Differs from its congeners in having complete absence of photophores and other luminescent formations (Ref. 56658).

Description: D1 VIII; D2 II, 23; A II, 22; P 15 (I, 14); V I 5; C x I, 8 + 7, xi; LL 71; vertebrae about 36 (after prolonged storage in formalin, the bones of the holotype strongly decalcinated and the vertebrae of the anterior half of the vertebral column were poorly discernible). Body elongated, narrowing towards caudal peduncle; greatest body depth about 7.3 times SL. Length of caudal peduncle 1.7 times longer than its least depth. Head of moderate size, about 3.5 times SL. Snout 3.4 times head length (HL), noticeably longer than diameter of a rather small orbit, which is 8.2 times HL. Interorbital space about 3.2 times HL. Mucous pit dumbbell-like, opens outside by 3 pores along its posterior edge, of which the middle pore almost twice as large as marginal pores. The bones of head are solid with skin covering them rather thick. Emargination of anterior tip of snout between symphyseal ends of praemaxilla is narrow and poorly developed; antero-dorsal angles of praemaxillaria only slightly protruding. Posterior end of praemaxillare and maxillare bent at 20° to longitudinal axis of the bone; toothed surfaces of praemaxillaria situated at an angle to horizontal body plane. Jaws are equal in size. Praeoperculum at left side fully hidden in skin, at right side its angular margin just slightly protrudes outside. Opercular lobe is well-developed, upper-posterior edge of operculum without emargination. The tongue is long and without teeth. Gill rakers are like small spines, longer than in other examined species of this genus (Ref. 56658).

Ease of Identification

Meristic characteristics of Pseudoscopelus aphos

Lateral Lines Interrupted: No
Scales on lateral line 71 - 71
Pored lateral line scales
Scales in lateral series
Scale rows above lateral line
Scale rows below lateral line
Scales around caudal peduncle
Barbels
Gill clefts (sharks/rays only)
Gill rakers
on lower limb
on upper limb
total
Vertebrae
preanal
total

Fins

Dorsal fin(s)

Attributes
Fins number 2
Finlets No. Dorsal   
Ventral  
Spines total 10 - 10
Soft-rays total 23 - 23
Adipose fin

Caudal fin

Attributes

Anal fin(s)

Fins number
Spines total 2 - 2
Soft-rays total 22 - 22

Paired fins

Pectoral Attributes  
Spines     1
Soft-rays   14 - 14
Pelvics Attributes  
Position    
Spines     1
Soft-rays   5 - 5
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