Argyropelecus aculeatus Valenciennes 1850

Lima, Adriano T., Costa, Paulo A. S., Braga, Adriana C., Nunan, Gustavo W. A. & Mincarone, Michael M., 2011, Fishes of the family Sternoptychidae (Stomiiformes) collected on the Brazilian continental slope between 11 ° and 23 ° S, Zootaxa 2742, pp. 34-48 : 38-39

Argyropelecus aculeatus Valenciennes 1850

( Fig. 2 C; Table 2 )

Material examined. 35 specimens (17.2–73.5 mm SL): MNRJ 30123, 10(19.7–33.5 mm), D-0382; MNRJ 30131, 3(17.2–26.0 mm), D-0503; MNRJ 30132, 1(43.8 mm), D-0505; MNRJ 30139, 1(33.9 mm), E-0502; MNRJ 30142, 1(68.7 mm), E-0507; MNRJ 30146, 1(73.5 mm), E-0519; MNRJ 30147, 1(27.3 mm), E-0520; MNRJ 30151, 1(57.3 mm), E-0523; MNRJ 30152, 1(37.0 mm), E-0524; MNRJ 30160, 3(43.8–62.0 mm), E- 0538; MNRJ 30165, 1(61.0 mm), E-0551; MNRJ 30356, 1(41.8 mm), AG1-4; MNRJ 30350, 1(31.0 mm), AG2-14; MNRJ 30353, 1(26.1 mm), AG1-9; MNRJ 30362, 1(17.5 mm), AG1-11; MNRJ 30365, 1(22.0 mm), AG2-10.1; MNRJ 30366, 1(18.9 mm), AG2-11; MNRJ 30368, 2(39.0–40.0 mm), AG1-7.2; MNRJ 30370, 1(46.6 mm), AG1-7.3; MNRJ 30371, 2(37.4–44.8 mm), AG1-1.

Additional material. 15 specimens (23.3–57.1 mm SL; REVIZEE Program, mid-water trawl): MZUSP 78245, 2(56.6–57.1 mm), 33°38’S, 50°14’W, 01.v.1997; MZUSP 80270, 6(23.3–29.8 mm), 29°31’28’’S, 47°44’13’’W, 24.xi.1999; MZUSP 80271, 5(32.6–55.0 mm), 34°07’57’’S, 51°22’21’’W, 23.iv.1997; MZUSP 80272, 2(27.7–34.2 mm), 31°04’25’’S, 49°15’5’’W, 29.xi.1999.

Diagnosis. Argyropelecus aculeatus can be differentiated from its congeners by the following combination of characters: dorsal blade high, its height equal to the width of its base; post-abdominal spines well developed, posterior larger than anterior; ventral keel extending along body margin; AN and SC well separated; lower jaw with a pair of large canine-like teeth; spines present ventrally and anterior to subcaudal photophores.

Meristic description. Fin rays: D 9; A 11–13; P 1 9–11. Gill rakers: 15–17 (6–7+2+7–8). Photophores: BR 6; I 6; AB 12; SAB 6; PAN 4; AN 6; SC 4.

Distribution. Worldwide in tropical and subtropical waters, probably occurring along the entire Brazilian coast.

Figures

FIGURE 2. Sternoptychids collected on Brazilian continental slope during the Thalassa and Astro Garoupa expeditions (asterisks indicate photo of fresh specimens): A. Argyripnus atlanticus; B. Maurolicus stehmanni *; C. Argyropelecus aculeatus *; D. Argyropelecus hemigymnus; E. Argyropelecus sladeni; F. Sternoptyx diaphana *; G. Sternoptyx pseudodiaphana; H. Sternoptyx pseudobscura; I. Polyipnus sp.