Size: To about 70 mm. 



Least depth of capture: To about 50 m (rarely less) at night. 



Distribution: The species comples of T. mexicanus extends from about 38°N to 35°S, from 

 off San Francisco, California, to a little south of Valparaiso, Chile (Fig. 156). As indicated 

 (Table 27), the Gulf of California harbors a population that differs significantly from that of 

 the open ocean, extending from near the tip of Baja California Peninsula northward. 



Moser and Ahlstrom (1970, p. 114) stated that T. oculeus ranged from Panama to Peru. 

 However, T. oculeus ranges somewhat farther to the north and much father south (Fig. 155). 

 Bussing (1965) reported the species from near Valparaiso, Chile, and Craddock and Mead 

 (1970) reported it from there and westward to about 76°W, between about 31° and 35°S. 



Table 27. Some Meristic Characters of the Two Forms of Triphoturus mexicanus and 

 for t. oculeus. 



Character 



Total gill rakers 



Vertebrae 



Total AO photophores 



Dorsal rays 



Anal rays 



Pectoral rays 



9 ( 8-10) for all three forms. 



Triphoturus nigrescens 



(Brauer, 1904) 



Fig. 155 — Triphoturus nigrescens, 34.8 mm. 



Description 



D. 14 (13-15); A. 17 (16-18); P. 9 (8-10); AO 5 (4) + 6 (5), total 11 (10); gill rakers 3 (2-4) + 

 1 -H 8 (7-10), total 12 (10-14); vertebrae 33-34. 



Only upper Pre is above lateral line, all other upper photophores below but touching that 

 line. VO. about on line through PVO., POj, and SAO,... Infracaudal luminous gland short, 

 ending far behind end of anal base. 



Size: To about 40 mm. 



Least depth of capture: To 24 m at night. 



Distribution: In eastern Pacific Ocean T. nigrescens appears to be widely spread between 

 about 30° N and 30° S. It is a warm water species, not taken in California Current system, but 

 rather common in central water masses. It occurs across the Pacific and into the Indo-Pacific 



165 



