Symbolophorus reversus: A New Species of Lanternfish from the Eastern Pacific (Myctophiformes: Myctophidae)
We describe a new species of lanternfish, Symbolophorus reversus (Myctophidae), from the eastern and central Pacific. Males of S. reversus can be distinguished from all other species of Symbolophorus by the presence of a supracaudal gland that is composed of 5–8 large, nonoverlapping luminous plates, each with a concave edge that faces posteriorly. Comparison of the slopes of several morphometrics relative to standard length show statistically significant differences between males of S. reversus and its closest relative, S. evermanni. Males of S. reversus tend to have shallower bodies, shorter heads, smaller orbits, and longer preanal, preadipose, predorsal, and prepelvic fin lengths.Abstract
Symbolophorus reversus sp. nov. Holotype, SIO 52–377, adult male, 77.6 mm SL
Dorsal view of the supracaudal gland of male (A) Symbolophorus reversus sp. nov. Holotype (SIO 52–377, 77.6 mm SL) and (B) Symbolophorus evermanni (SIO 68–546, 73.2 mm SL). Scale bar = 2 mm
Regression analysis comparing the slopes of selected morphometric characters. White squares and solid line = Symbolophorus reversus sp. nov., black diamonds and dashed line = Symbolophorus evermanni. BD = body depth, O = orbit diameter, pA = preanal-fin length, pD = predorsal-fin length, and SL = standard length
Contributor Notes
Section of Fishes, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, 900 Exposition Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90007. Present address: (FJG) Division of Biology, Glendale College, 1500 North Verdugo Road, Glendale, California 91208–2894. E-mail: (FJG) fgago@glendale.edu Send reprint requests to FJG.