Melanocetidae

E247611

Melanocetidae is a family of deep-sea anglerfish known for their globular bodies, bioluminescent lures, and extreme sexual dimorphism.

All labels observed (1)

Label Occurrences
Melanocetidae canonical 1

How this entity was disambiguated

Statements (49)

Predicate Object
instanceOf fish family
ray-finned fish family
taxon
adaptation bioluminescence produced by symbiotic bacteria in the lure
large mouth allows ingestion of relatively large prey
low-density tissues for neutral buoyancy
reduced musculature suited to low-energy deep-sea environment
characteristic bioluminescent lure
dark to black coloration
extreme sexual dimorphism
globular body shape
illicium and esca on the head
large head
long fang-like teeth
reduced ossification of skeleton
soft flabby body
wide mouth
class Actinopterygii
commonName black seadevil anglerfishes
black seadevils
conservationStatus many species data deficient
diet crustaceans
small fishes
distribution temperate oceans
tropical oceans
worldwide oceans
ecologicalRole mid- to top-level predator in deep-sea food webs
feedingBehavior ambush predator
lure-based predation using bioluminescent esca
habitat bathypelagic zone
deep sea
mesopelagic zone
includesGenus Melanocetus
kingdom Animalia
lightEnvironment aphotic zone
namedBy Albert Günther
notableSpecies Melanocetus
surface form: Melanocetus johnsonii

Melanocetus
surface form: Melanocetus murrayi
order Lophiiformes
phylum Chordata
reproduction males attach to females for reproduction
parasitic dwarf males in some species
sexualDimorphism females much larger than males
males lack large lures
taxonRank family
threat climate-change-driven shifts in deep-sea ecosystems
deep-sea fishing bycatch
typeGenus Melanocetus
yearDescribed 1864

How these facts were elicited

Referenced by (1)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Lophiiformes notableFamily Melanocetidae