|
The stoplight loosejaws are small, deep-sea dragonfishes of the genus ''Malacosteus'', classified either within the subfamily Malacosteinae of the family Stomiidae, or in the separate family Malacosteidae. They are found worldwide, outside of the Arctic and Subantarctic, in the mesopelagic zone below a depth of . This genus once contained three nominal species: ''M. niger'' (the type), ''M. choristodactylus'', and ''M. danae'', with the validity of the latter two species being challenged by different authors at various times. In 2007, Kenaley examined over 450 stoplight loosejaw specimens and revised the genus to contain two species, ''M. niger'' and the new ''M. australis''.〔 ''Malacosteus'' and the related genera ''Aristostomias'' and ''Pachystomias'' are the only fishes that produce red bioluminescence. As most of their prey organisms are not capable of perceiving light at those wavelengths, this allows ''Malacosteus'' to hunt with an essentially invisible beam of light. Furthermore, ''Malacosteus'' is unique amongst animals in using a chlorophyll derivative to perceive red light.〔 The name ''Malacosteus'' is derived from the Greek ''malakos'' meaning "soft" and ''osteon'' meaning "bone". Another common name for these fishes is "rat-trap fish", from the unusual open structure of their jaws. ==Species== There are currently two recognized species in this genus: * ''Malacosteus australis'' Kenaley, 2007 (Southern stoplight loosejaw) * ''Malacosteus niger'' Ayres, 1848 (Stoplight loosejaw) 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Stoplight loosejaw」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|