ANIMAL SPECIES:Soft Leafvent Angler, Haplophryne mollis (Brauer, 1902)
The Soft Leafvent Angler is a sexually dimorphic species. Females have rounded, unpigmented bodies. They have several spines on the head and a rounded esca on the snout.
Identification
The Soft Leafvent Angler is a sexually dimorphic species. Females have rounded, unpigmented bodies. They have several spines on the head and a rounded esca on the snout.
Size range
Females grow to around 8 cm in length, but males only grow to about 2 cm.Distribution
Soft Leafvent Anglers occurs in deep tropical and subtropical marine waters of all oceans.
In Australia specimens have been trawled from off central to southern New South Wales and east of Tasmania, but the species is almost certainly more widespread.
Behaviour and adaptations
Mating and reproduction
Mature males are usually seen permanently attached to females. When a free-living male encounters a female, it bites the female and the skin of his mouth eventually fuses with that of the female. The male then becomes parasitic on the female.
Classification
- Species:
- mollis
- Genus:
- Haplophryne
- Family:
- Linophrynidae
- Class:
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum:
- Vertebrata
- Phylum:
- Chordata
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
References
Bertelsen, E., & Pietsch, T.W. 1983. The Ceratioid Anglerfishes of Australia. Records of the Australian Museum. 35: 77-99. Paxton, J.R., D.F. Hoese, G.R. Allen & J.E. Hanley. 1989. Zoological Catalogue of Australia Vol.7. Pisces Petromyzontidae to Carangidae. Canberra: Australian Biological Resources Survey. Pp. i-xii, 1-665. Yearsley, G.K., Last, P.R. & D.F. Hoese. 2006. Standared Names of Australian Fishes. CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research Paper 009. Pp. 65.
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A female Soft Leafvent Angler, Haplophryne mollis View full size
Mark McGrouther
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