Parmops coruscans | |
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Scientific classification
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Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Trachichthyiformes |
Family: | Anomalopidae |
Genus: | Parmops |
Species: | P. coruscans
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Binomial name | |
Parmops coruscans
Rosenblatt &
Johnson, 1991
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Parmops coruscans is a species of flashlight fish native to the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Tahiti and from Fiji to French Polynesia. [1] It is one of two species of Parmops along with P. echinatus, which was discovered off the coast of Fiji. [2] Like other anomalopids, it is notable for the light organs underneath its eyes, which contain bioluminescent bacteria. To cover the organs, it rotates them down while sliding a black lid upward over each eye. The lack of development in its shutter mechanism helps place it between Anomalops and Phthanophaneron on the evolutionary tree. [3]
Its body is compressed and its snout is blunt, with large eyes set on either side. At 4.8 cm (1.9 in) SL in length, it is a small fish, and not a target for fisheries. Almost nothing is known about its biology or habitat. [1] It was first described in 1991 by ichthyologists R. H. Rosenblatt and G. D. Johnson from a single specimen found at Tahiti at a depth of 350 m (1,150 ft). It was named coruscans for the Latin word meaning "sparkling," [3] and its genus name derives from the Latin word parma meaning "a little shield" and the Greek word ops meaning "face." [1]