''Aristostomias'' is a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...

of barbeled dragonfishes native to the ocean depths in the Pacific,

Atlantic The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's five oceans, with an area of about . It covers approximately 20% of Earth's surface and about 29% of its water surface area. It is known to separate the " Old World" of Africa, Europe an ...

and

Indian Indian or Indians may refer to: Peoples South Asia * Indian people, people of Indian nationality, or people who have an Indian ancestor ** Non-resident Indian, a citizen of India who has temporarily emigrated to another country * South Asia ...

oceans.

Red Light Bioluminescence

Production of red light bioluminescence

Similar to other deep-sea organisms that are capable of producing red light bioluminescence, including ''

Pachystomias ''Pachystomias microdon'', the smalltooth dragonfish, is a species of barbeled dragonfish found in the oceans at depths of from . This species grows to a length of SL. This species is the only known species in its genus. Red Light Biolumine ...

'', ''Aristostomias'' has large suborbital photophores that produce red-shifted cold light. In addition, ''Aristostomias'' has postorbital photophores that emit blue-green light.

Visual systems

Most meso- and bathypelagic fish are only able to see shortwave light, as their retinae possess rods with rhodopsins sensitive to blue light. ''Aristostomias'' is able to detect red-shifted light, as their retinae have long-wave absorbing rhodopsins and porphyropsins that can detect wavelengths of up to 590 nm. ''Aristostomias'' can detect red light at distances of up to 2 meters, suggesting that detection is used primarily for close-range intraspecific communication and short-range prey detection.

Species

There are currently six recognized species in this genus: * ''

Aristostomias grimaldii ''Aristostomias'' is a genus of barbeled dragonfishes native to the ocean depths in the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans. Red Light Bioluminescence Production of red light bioluminescence Similar to other deep-sea organisms that are capa ...

'' Zugmayer, 1913 * ''

Aristostomias lunifer ''Aristostomias'' is a genus of barbeled dragonfishes native to the ocean depths in the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans. Red Light Bioluminescence Production of red light bioluminescence Similar to other deep-sea organisms that are capa ...

Regan The family name Regan, along with its cognates O'Regan, O Regan, Reagan, and O'Reagan, is an Anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Riagáin or Ó Ríogáin, from Ua Riagáin. The meaning is likely to have originated in ancient Gaelic ''ri'' ...

& Trewavas, 1930 * ''

Aristostomias polydactylus ''Aristostomias'' is a genus of barbeled dragonfishes native to the ocean depths in the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans. Red Light Bioluminescence Production of red light bioluminescence Similar to other deep-sea organisms that are capa ...

& Trewavas, 1930 * ''

Aristostomias scintillans ''Aristostomias'' is a genus of barbeled dragonfishes native to the ocean depths in the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans. Red Light Bioluminescence Production of red light bioluminescence Similar to other deep-sea organisms that are capa ...

'' ( C. H. Gilbert, 1915) (Shiny loosejaw) * ''

Aristostomias tittmanni ''Aristostomias'' is a genus of barbeled dragonfishes native to the ocean depths in the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans. Red Light Bioluminescence Production of red light bioluminescence Similar to other deep-sea organisms that are capa ...

'' W. W. Welsh, 1923 (Loosejaw) * ''

Aristostomias xenostoma ''Aristostomias'' is a genus of barbeled dragonfishes native to the ocean depths in the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans. Red Light Bioluminescence Production of red light bioluminescence Similar to other deep-sea organisms that are capa ...

& Trewavas, 1930

References

Stomiidae Marine fish genera Ray-finned fish genera Taxa named by Erich Zugmayer {{Stomiiformes-stub