The Myctophiformes are an order of ray-finned fishes consisting of two families of deep-sea marine fish, most notably the highly abundant lanternfishes (Myctophidae). The blackchins (Neoscopelidae) contain six species in three genera, while the bulk of the family belongs to the Myctophidae, with over 30 genera and some 252 species.
The scientific name <!-- means "Ateleopus-shaped", from Ateleopus (the type genus) + the standard fish order suffix "-formes". It --> ultimately derives from Ancient Greek myktér (μυκτήρ, "nose") + óphis (ὄφῖς, "serpent") + Latin forma ("external form"), the Greek part in reference to the long, slender, and heavy-headed shape of these fishes.
Description and ecology
These smallish fishes inhabit the pelagic and benthopelagic zones of the deep sea. They are laterally compressed and usually have photophores (light organs). The eyes are large, in some decidedly huge, and generally directed straight sideways. The mouth also quite large and located at the tip of the snout; its gape extends to below the eyes or even beyond. They have an adipose fin. The pelvic fin has eight rays in most myctophiforms, and the number of branchiostegal rays is usually higher than six and lower than 12.
- Myctophidae – lanternfishes
- Neoscopelidae – blackchins
The extinct family Sardinioididae (containing Sardinioides and possibly Volcichthys) is known from the Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian to Campanian). The genus Neocassandra from the Late Paleocene is either considered its own family or a member of the Neoscopelidae. Some members were previously confused with aulopiforms.
Timeline of genera
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Footnotes
References
- (2008): On the cephalic and pectoral girdle muscles of the deep sea fish Alepocephalus rostratus, with comments on the functional morphology and phylogenetic relationships of the Alepocephaloidei (Teleostei). Anim. Biol. 58(1): 23–29. <small></small>
- (2006): Order Myctophiformes. Version of 2006-OCT-09. Retrieved 2009-SEP-28.
- (1968–1982): Oxford Latin Dictionary (1st ed.). Oxford University Press, Oxford. <small></small>
- (2006): Fishes of the World (4th ed.). John Wiley & Sons, Inc. <small></small>
- (1910): English-Greek Dictionary - A Vocabulary of the Attic Language. George Routledge & Sons Ltd., Broadway House, Ludgate Hill, E.C. Searchable JPEG fulltext