Discussion 



Lampanyctus fernae is basically similar to L. ritteri (Fig. 157) and has been found so 

 misidentified in some collections of that species. It differs from L. ritteri in having more gill 

 rakers, more scales in the infracaudal luminous gland (this gland longer and reaching to end of 

 anal base instead of but one-half to three-fourths that distance, as in L. ritteri ), a shorter and 

 less deep head, and a generally more slender body. Also, the VO2 is slightly but distinctly 

 elevated, although not displaced forward, and the VLO is notably higher. Prcj lies well behind 

 rather than over or a little before a vertical from Prc:j. 



Lampanyctus regalis 



(Gilbert, 1891) 



Fig. 160 — Lampanyctus regalis, male, 155.0 mm. 



Description 



D. 15(14-16); A. 17 (18); P. 13 (14); AO 6 (7)- 8 (7), total 14 (13-15); gill rakers 4+ 1-H 9(8), 

 total 12 (13); vertebrae 37 (36-39). 



Body moderately robust, very similar to that of L. ritteri. SAO.i about over anal origin; 

 VLO much nearer lateral line than to pelvic base; line through VLO and SAO, passes far 

 below SAO). AOa series often slightly curves. In specimens in excellent condition tiny second- 

 ary photophores can be seen at the posterior border of some scale pockets. 



Size: To about 165 mm (see Discussion). 



Least depth of capture: To about 50 m at night. 



Distribution: From south of Magdalena Bay, Baja California, to off Japan, in the colder 

 waters of the northeastern Pacific (Fig. 158). The density of occurrence in the California area is 

 no doubt the result of a greater number of hauls. 

 Discussion 



A possible new form, closely related to L. regalis, occurs in near-shore waters off Oregon 

 and perhaps off northern California. Apparently it is a large species, reaching at least 170 mm. 

 It differs from L. regalis in having the following features: D. 17 (16); A. 19 (18); P. 14 (rarely 12 

 or 13); AO 7 (8) + 8(7), total 15 (14-16); gill rakers 4 (5) + 1 + 10 (11), total 15 (14-16). 



SAO;i lies over base of third anal ray rather than over anal origin; AOa, is not followed by 

 an enlarged interspace. Only a few specimens have been examined thus far, and more must be 

 studied to determine if these differences are more than just clinal. 



Lampanyctus idostigma 



Parr, 1931 

 Description 



D. 13 (12); A. 17 (16-18); P. 11-12; AO 5-6 + 6 (5-7), total 11 (10-13); gill rakers4 (5)+ 1 + 10 

 (9-11), total 15 (14-17); vertebrae 32 (31-33). 



SAO:) far behind anal origin, over or a little behind A0a2; SAO, over or a little before VO4; 

 SAO2 about over AOa,. VLO about midway between lateral line and pelvic origin. Pre in- 

 terspaces progressively wider; Prc^ about over Pre.). Two or 3 luminous scales in supracaudal 



173 



