Description 



D. 11 (10-12); A. 13 (12-14); P. 13 (12-14); AO 4-5 + 3-4; gill rakers 2 + 1 + 7; vertebrae 29 

 (27-31). 



Size: To about 25 mm. 



Least depth of capture: Clarke (1973) reported that night tows between 80 and 100 m took 

 specimensof less than 15 mm almost entirely, but specimens of 20 mm or more between 115 

 and 145 m. 



Distribution: Circumglobal in tropical and temperate waters. 

 Discussion 



Although Bolin ( 1946) described and figured an infracaudal gland for females from the 

 Indian Ocean (Fig. 130 E), I have been unable to detect a definite gland on any specimen from 

 the eastern Pacific Ocean. However, as this is a very fragile species, it may be that the gland is 

 easily lost. The figure from Bolin was used because no intact specimen was available to me; 

 none had the full complement of photophores, and few had the supracaudal gland intact. 



Taaningichthys Bolin, 1959 



Lateral line poorly developed or obsolete. Snout short and blunt, less than half the orbital 

 diameter; orbit large, usually less than 3.0 in head. A large, opaque, whitish crescent on 

 posterior half of iris. Photophores weakly developed or entirely absent, often lost with the 

 fragile, easily eroded integument. PO 5-7; VO 3-10. A large, pearly white luminous organ set 

 deeply into upper and lower surfaces of the caudal peduncle of both sexes. Three Pre, the first 2 

 low and closely spaced, the third at lateral line and widely separated from the others. 



Key to species of Taaningichthys 



la. Distance from anal origin to end of hypural less than distance from anal origin to upper 

 end of pectoral base. Pectoral fin extending well beyond pelvic base. Five PO; VO 8-10; 

 only 1 SAO, near lateral septum; AO 5-8 -i- 3-5. Supracaudal luminous gland usually less 

 than half the length of infracaudal gland. Scales small, 40-41 along lateral septum; ver- 

 tebrae 49 (39-41) T. minimus 



lb. Distance from anal origin to end of hypural greater than distance from anal origin to 

 upper end of pectoral base 2 



2a. Supracaudal and infracaudal luminous glands about equal in length. Pectoral fin not 

 reaching to pelvic base. Five to 7 PO; VO 2-5; only 1 SAO, high, near lateral septum; AO 

 2-3 + 1-2. Scales large, 35-36 along lateral septum; vertebrae 35-36 T. bathyphilus 



2b. Supracaudal luminous gland half or less the length of infracaudal gland. Pectoral fin 

 reaching to about pelvic base. No photophores on head or body T . paurolychnus 



Taaningichthys bathyphilus 



(Taning, 1928) 



Fig. 131— Taaningichthys halhyphihts^ From Bolin (1959, p. 26. fig. 6) 



145 



