Three New Species of the Genus Photonectes (Teleostei: Stomiiformes: Stomiidae: Melanostomiinae) from the Pacific Ocean

Abstract

Three new species of the mesopelagic fish genus Photonectes (Stomiidae, Melanostomiinae, subgenus Photonectes) are described from the Pacific Ocean with species descriptions augmented by new characters: origin of the IP-photophore series, gill-filament length, and jaw-tooth length. Photonectes coffea, new species (central equatorial, north, and western Pacific) has an elongate barbel with two bean-shaped light organs; IV photophores 37–39; dorsal-fin rays 12–13; no blue luminous tissue; one white luminous shoulder spot; all jaw teeth small canines; and gill filaments on first arch extending beyond opercular opening. Photonectes barnetti, new species (North Pacific Gyre) has an elongate barbel with a single ovoid bulb and a white area along the stem; IV photophores 37–39; dorsal-fin rays 13–15; no blue luminous tissue; one or two white luminous shoulder spots; jaw teeth of variable length; and reduced gill filaments on first arch. Photonectes corynodes, new species (central equatorial Pacific) is known from a single specimen and has a barbel with a single hourglass-shaped bulb and a bifid terminal filament, both branches ending in small light organs; IV photophores 34; dorsal-fin rays 15; no blue luminous tissue or white luminous shoulder spots; jaw teeth of variable length; and gill filaments neither reduced nor elongated. A key to the subgenus Photonectes is provided.