D XL, 57; A T, 52; P1 12; P2 0; GR 5+1+17=23; BS 7.
HL 20.3% of SL; ED 4.0; BD 8.6; SN 7.9; IO 3.8; UJ 9.3; CP 0.5; P1L 9.0.
Body extermely elongate and remarkably compressed. Head moderate in size, about 5 times in SL. No sagittal crest on dorsal part of head. Mouth large and gently curved, posterior end of upper jaw reaching below mideye, lower jaw projected anterior to upper jaw. Snout elongate, its length about 5 times in head; upper margin of eye continuous to dorsal profile of head. Nostril single and crescent-shaped. Teeth sharp, triangular and uniserial on both jaws, enlarged three teeth without burbs on anterior part of upper jaw. Gill-rakers on first arch small knob-like with fine inner spines. Pectoral fin slender. No pelvic fin in this specimen (rudimental pelvic fin present in juveniles). First dorsal fin base slightly shorter than second dorsal fin base. First anal fin spine rudimental; second anal fin spine shout, dagger-shaped. Caudal fin very small, with slender caudal peduncle. Lateral line very distinct and fairly straight with anterior gradual descending part. Phyloric caeca 7. Uniformly black in preserved specimen. Living fish with coppery iridescent reflextions. Buccal and branchial cavities black.
Distribution:
Probably worldwide, though further study needed.
Remarks:
Besides this species, following four more species are known: A. microphthalmus Norman, 1939 from the Indian Ocean, A. intermedius Parin, 1983 from the tropical Atlantic, A. mikhailini Parin, 1983 from the southern Atlantic and Indian oceans, and Aphanopussp. from the Pacific (Parin, 1983). This seems to be a new record of Aphanopus carbo for Chilean waters.
(Izumi NAKAMURA)
Distribution of Aphanopus carbo in Patagonia.
Viscera (A). Liver (1), pyloric caeca (2), spleen (3), stomach (4), intestine (5) and gall-bladder (6). Head (B). Fang (1) and dermal process (2).