1870 
A small upper antorbital photophore, also small lower one, both on 
front eye edge; 2 operculars, upper larger and on inclined line from lower 
eye edge and lower subpectoral; 3 equidistant veiled branchiostegals; 5 
pectorals, equidistant or last 3 closer together; 1 suprapectoral, close above 
and before pectoral fin origin, or midway between latter and lateral line; 
2 subpectorals, lowest pectoral rays; lower opposite suprapectoral and 
second pectoral, upper close before 4 ventrals, equidistant; 1 supraventral, 
midway between lateral line and first ventral photophore; 6 to 8 f 5 to 8 
anals, all but first two posteroanals behind anal fin base; 3 supraanals, 
in inclined line from second ventral to uppermost supraanal, first before 
fourth ventral or over third ventral, second little higher and over fourth 
ventral, third close below lateral line opposite anal fin origin or first 
anteroanal; 2 precaudals, close together and posterior slightly higher* 
Male with 7 supracaudal luminous scales, female with 3 infracaudal. 
D. IV, 9 1 I or IV, 10 I, first branched ray 1 1/4 to 1 2/5 in total head 
length; adipose fin 2 1/3 to 3 1/10; A* III, 16, I to III, 18, I, first 
branched ray 1 2/3 to 2 1/10; caudal 1 l/5 to 1 1/4, small, well forked; 
least depth of caudal peduncle 3 1/10 to 3 l/2; pectoral 1 1/10 to 1 l/4; 
ventral 2 to 2 1/2* 
Dark neutral brown to blue or violet above, sides and below silvery 
white with iridescent reflections. Iris silvery white. Fins pale to whitish. 
Pacific and Indian Oceans. Taaning separates the Atlantic form as 
Myotophum selenops, "Characterized by the deep, short form," depth of body 
only 3 1/2 times in total length without caudal fin. AO 7f3. D. 13-14. 
A. 18-19." 
