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Ugly Animal Kingdom Presents: The Deep Sea Angler
Posted by on November 07, 2005.
The category Deep Sea Angler describes the over 120 species within the sub order Ceritiodea. Their large jaws and distensible stomach allow the female angler to eat prey as large or larger than themselves. The anglers are noted for the bioluminescent lure which serves to attract prey in their low light environment, 300-4000 meters deep. Interestingly, the lure is only present on the female angler fish, and is used to attract males. The male is approximately 1/20 th the size of the female, and has large eyes to assist in spotting a female lure. Once a male encounters a female, he clamps on to her flesh in a parasitic fashion. His entire anatomy atrophies until he is organless, with the exception of an overgrown testis, functioning only to fertilize the female's eggs. At this stage, the angler is considered sexually dimorphic, with both male and female reproductive organs, technically capable of self-fertilization. Female angler fish have been observed with five to six parasitic males attached.
In addition to the parasitic relationship of the male and female angler fish, The Female angler also fosters a symbiotic relationship with the luminescent bacteria that reside in the lure. The bacteria are stimulated to phosphoresce by a rush of oxygenated blood to the lure. When she's not using the lure, the female's circulation closes off the blood flow to the lure appendage.
Disney's angler fish in Finding Nemo. Fairly accurate depiction, with the exception of the large eyes.
Reader Comments
Funny, in many cases involving the human husband, the balls are the first thing to go.
Posted by Jellio.
this doesnt even look like thefish in finding nemo
Posted by brooke hess.
