Deep sea anglerfishes are among the most bizarre-looking fish in the sea. There are about 200 species of anglerfish found throughout the world's oceans. The name of these fishes comes from the elongated dorsal spine that supports a light-producing organ known as a photophore. Through bioluminescence, this photophore can produce a blue-green light. The fish uses this appendage like a fishing lure, waving it back and forth to attract its prey (in case you didn't know that already - time to watch Finding Nemo).
Our new species is one of three newly described species found in Indonesian waters. It was named after Dr. Kunio Amaoka, Professor Emeritus of Hokkaido University, to honour his contributions to ichthyology.
For the experts: An examination of the ceratioid anglerfishes collected on the Indian Ocean side of Indonesia during surveys in 2004–2005 have revealed 18 species in 9 genera and 6 families, including three new species: Cryptopsaras couesii (Ceratiidae); Melanocetus johnsonii (Melanocetidae); Diceratias trilobus, Bufoceratias microcephalus sp. nov., B. thele, B. shaoi, B. cf. wedli (Diceratiidae); Himantolophus danae, H. sagamius, H. nigricornis, H. macroceratoides (Himantolophidae); Oneirodes quadrinema sp. nov., O. amaokai sp. nov., O. carlsbergi, O. cristatus, Dermatias platynogaster, Chaenophryne cf. melanorhabdus (Oneirodidae); and Linophryne parini (Linophrynidae). Of these, specimens of B. shaoi, H. macroceratoides, O. cristatus and L. parini represent the second records since the species were described. A specimen of H. nigricornis represents the third record and a specimen of Dermatias platynogaster represents the fourth record. Descriptive data and notes on the geographical distribution and morphological variation are provided for each species.
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