Author: Koefoed, 1955

Scopelarchus michaelsarsi Koefoed, 1955

Diagnosis: dorsal finrays 7-9, anal finrays 18-21, pectoral finrays 18-21, the latter large and reaching beyond anal fin origin. Scales in lateral line 40-44. Vertebrae 40-44. Colour: in alcohol, yellow-brown with small to large, brown to black melanophores. Pigment limited to distinct, subequal stripes above and below lateral line; dorsally, scale pockets edged with pigment; pectoral fins jet-black except on 5 lowermost rays. Size: 101.5 mm SL.

Habitat: oceanic, mesopelagic. Most adults taken in hauls to depth exceeding 500 m, none in hauls to depths less than 256 m; larvae taken at all times of the year throughout the range of the species, chiefly in hauls to depths less than 200 m and apparently not in hauls restricted to the upper 100 m. Food: adults presumably prey on other midwater fishes.

Distribution: species unknown from Clofnam area, but captured at four nearby Atlantic stations (27° 35-30' N, 19° 50-57' W; 26° 15-11' N, 21° 51-57' W; 31° 50-45' N, 30° 37-41' W; 28° 45-40' N, 30° 08-11' W). Elsewhere, tropical and subtropical regions of all oceans (in the Pacific, not known east of 150° W).

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Subphylum Vertebrata
Superclass Gnathostomata
Class Osteichthyes
Order Scopeliformes
Suborder Alepisauroidei
Family Scopelarchidae
Genus Scopelarchus
Species Scopelarchus michaelsarsi

Status in World Register of Marine Species

Accepted name: Scopelarchus michaelsarsi Koefoed, 1955

Scientific synonyms and common names

Scopelarchus michaelsarsi Koefoed, 1955

Synonyms:

Scopelarchus cavei Marshall, 1955

Common names:

Bigfin pearleye [En]

Koefoed, E. 1955. Iniomi (Myctophidae exclusive), Lyomeri, Apodes. Rep. scient. Results Michael Sars N. Atlant. deep Sea Exped., 1910, 4, II (4): 1-15, 3 fig., 2 pl.

Marshall, N. B. 1955. Studies of Alepisauroid fishes. 'Discovery' Rep., 27: 303-336, pl. XIX.

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