Bathyceratias Explained

Bathyceratias trilynchnus, the three-starred anglerfish, is a hypothetical species of anglerfish observed by William Beebe while in his bathysphere on 11 August 1934, at a depth of 2,470 feet (750 metres) off the coast of Bermuda.[1]

Description

Beebe first witnessed the fish from a distance, with its light faintly reflecting on its back. Getting a clearer view once it swam into the beam of his bathysphere,[2] it was described as similar to the ceratias and cryptopsaras, but with a flattened mouth and short, even teeth. It was ovoid, black in color, six inches in length, and possessed three illicium, each tipped with a pale yellow light organ.

Current status

As with the other four species described by Beebe during his bathysphere dives, the three-starred anglerfish has not been observed since.[3]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Book: Beebe, William . 1934 . Half Mile Down . Harcourt, Brace and Company . New York . 211.
  2. Book: Matsen, Brad . 2007 . Descent: The Heroic Discovery of the Abyss . Knopf Doubleday Publishing . 9780307425492.
  3. Book: Ellis, Richard . 2006 . Singing Whales and Flying Squid: The Discovery of Marine Life . Lyons Press . 44 . 9781461748960.