Malacosteus niger, commonly known as the black dragon fish, is a species of deep-sea fish. Some additional common names for this species include: northern stoplight loosejaw, lightless loosejaw, black loosejaw, and black hinged-head.[1] It belongs to the family Stomiidae, or dragonfishes. It is among the top predators of the open mesopelagic zone.[2]M. niger is a circumglobal species, which means that it inhabits waters ranging from the tropics to the subarctics.[3] Not many studies have been conducted on its feeding habits, but recent research suggests that M. niger primarily feed on calanoid copepods which is a form of zooplankton. Indeed, it appears that M. niger primarily prey on zooplankton despite its apparent morphological adaptations for the consumption of relatively large prey.[2] Another unique adaptation for this species is its ability to produce both red and blue bioluminescence. Most mesopelagic species aren't capable of producing red bioluminescence. This is advantageous because most other species cannot perceive red light, therefore allowing M. niger to camouflage part of itself to its prey and predators.
A headshot of Malacosteus niger showing the red and blue bioluminescence regions.An animated image of Malacosteus niger.Flashing of photophores of Malacosteus niger, showing red fluorescence modifying the bioluminescence
^ abHarold, A. 2015. Malacosteus niger. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 20 February 2016.
^ abSutton, Tracey T. (2005-11-01). "Trophic ecology of the deep-sea fish Malacosteus niger (Pisces: Stomiidae): An enigmatic feeding ecology to facilitate a unique visual system?". Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers. 52 (11): 2065–2076. Bibcode:2005DSRI...52.2065S. doi:10.1016/j.dsr.2005.06.011. ISSN 0967-0637.
^"Proxy login - URI Libraries". login.uri.idm.oclc.org. Retrieved 2021-10-16.
Malacosteusniger, commonly known as the black dragon fish, is a species of deep-sea fish. Some additional common names for this species include: northern...
used as a lure to attract prey. The predatory deep-sea dragonfish Malacosteusniger, the closely related genus Aristostomias and the species Pachystomias...
Sutton, T.T. (November 2005). "Trophic ecology of the deep-sea fish Malacosteusniger (Pisces: Stomiidae): An enigmatic feeding ecology to facilitate a...
barbeled dragonfishes in the genera Aristostomias, Pachystomias and Malacosteus emit a red glow. This adaptation allows the fish to see red-pigmented...
Malacosteus australis, the southern stoplight loosejaw, is a species of barbeled dragonfish. This species is mainly distinguished from Malacosteus niger...
dietary origin of the chlorophyll-derived retinal photosensitizer of Malacosteusniger". Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B. 355 (1401): 1269–1272...
dietary origin of the chlorophyll-derived retinal photosensitizer of Malacosteusniger". Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B. 355 (1401): 1269–1272...
dietary origin of the chlorophyllderived retinal photosensitizer of Malacosteusniger". Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series...
dietary origin of the chlorophyllderived retinal photosensitizer of Malacosteusniger". Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series...
explained. Kenaley, C.P. (2007). "Revision of the Stoplight Loosejaw Genus Malacosteus (Teleostei: Stomiidae: Malacosteinae), with Description of a New Species...
Malacosteus, Aristostomias and Pachystomias are the only fishes that have the ability to produce red bioluminescence. The species Malacosteusniger is...
Indian Ocean side of the area, occurs in all three major oceans) Malacosteusniger Ayres, 1848 (Tropical and subtropical in all three major oceans) Subfamily:...
(Stomiiformes), from top to bottom: Northern Stoplight Loosejaw (Malacosteusniger), Eustomias braueri, Bathophilus vaillanti, Leptostomias gladiator...
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