Fishes of the family Sternoptychidae (Stomiiformes) collected on the Brazilian continental slope between 11° and 23°S

Abstract

Recent pelagic and benthic trawling activities over the Brazilian continental slope between 11° and 23°S captured nine species representing five genera of the stomiiform family Sternoptychidae. Among these, three species are new records for Brazilian waters: Sternoptyx pseudodiaphana, Argyripnus atlanticus, and Polyipnus sp. The known distributions of Argyropelecus aculeatus and Maurolicus stehmanni along the Brazilian coast are extended northward to 13°S and 16°S, respectively, while that of Sternoptyx diaphana is extended southward to 13°S. Argyropelecus hemigymnus, Argyropelecus sladeni, and Sternoptyx pseudobscura were rarely caught (n=2–16). A key to the western South Atlantic species of Sternoptychidae is provided.