Idiacanthus antrostomus
Overview
Idiacanthus antrostomus, also known as the Pacific blackdragon or black sea dragon, is a species of barbeled dragonfishes (Stomiidae) inhabiting the Pacific Ocean.
| Idiacanthus antrostomus | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Stomiiformes |
| Family: | Stomiidae |
| Genus: | Idiacanthus |
| Species: | I. antrostomus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Idiacanthus antrostomus | |
This fish is noted for having ultrablack skin, similar to pigments like Vantablack, which is accomplished through tightly packed melanosomes that allow its skin to absorb 99.95% of common light wavelengths in its habitat.[3][4] There are four groups of photophores located on the abdomen and extending down to the tail.[5]
Another notable feature of the Idiacanthus antrostomus is it's straight notocordal sheath, a straight tube connecting the skull to the first vertebrae. In simple terms, the fish's head isn't connected to the spine by a flexible joint.[6]
Habitat
It has been found at depths between 500 m (1,600 ft) and 2,000 m (6,600 ft)[7] along the West Coast of the United States and in the Gulf of Mexico.[3][8]
Reproduction
Little is know about reproduction in Idiacanthus antrostomus, however, based on studies of other stomiids, it is likely an oviparous, gonochoristic batch spawner with asynchronous oocyte development.[9]
References
- ^ Williams, A. (2020). "Idiacanthus antrostomus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020 e.T137563977A137564125. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-1.RLTS.T137563977A137564125.en. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
- ^ Bailly, Nicolas (2008). "Idiacanthus antrostomus Gilbert, 1890". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species.
- ^ a b "How some superblack fish disappear into the darkness of the deep sea". Science News. 2020-07-16. Retrieved 2021-02-03.
- ^ Davis, Alexander L.; Thomas, Kate N.; Goetz, Freya E.; Robison, Bruce H.; Johnsen, Sönke; Osborn, Karen J. (2020-09-07). "Ultra-black Camouflage in Deep-Sea Fishes". Current Biology. 30 (17): 3470–3476.e3. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2020.06.044. ISSN 0960-9822. PMID 32679102. S2CID 220575700.
- ^ Gilbert, Charles (1889). [chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://ia601503.us.archive.org/24/items/biostor-14194/biostor-14194.pdf "Scientific Results of Explorations by the U.S. Fish Commission Steamer Albatross"] (PDF). Proceedings of the United States National Museum: 6 – via Biostor.
- ^ Johnson, & Schnell (2017). "Evolution of a Functional Head Joint in Deep-Sea Fishes (Stomiidae)". Plos One – via PLOS.
- ^ Sutton, T.T., Grzimek's animal life encyclopedia:Fishes I-II Volume 4-5, Pages 421-430
- ^ Milkova, V. (August 2016). "Range Records for Ten Species of Stomiiform, Aulopiform, and Myctophiform Fishes in British Columbia, Canada". Northwestern Naturalist. 97 (2): 113–123. doi:10.1898/NWN15-11.1. ISSN 1051-1733. S2CID 88545210.
- ^ Marks, Alex (2016-07-25). "Reproductive Ecology of Dragonfishes (Family: Stomiidae) in the Gulf of Mexico". HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations.