Female Triplewart Seadevils, Cryptopsaras couesii, are readily identified by the fleshy protuberance they have on their dorsal surface (referred to as a caruncle). The long rod-like structure, or the illicium, extends from the nose of the female. At the end of the illicium is the lure, or the esca. The esca is bioluminescent and accommodates bioluminescent bacteria, which are responsible for the light production. The lure is used to attract potential prey items to within striking distance. This species has been collected as deep as 4000 meters. This specimen was captured at roughly 500 meters depth in the Gulf of Mexico, 2015. | |
Lizenzart: | Lizenzpflichtig |
Credit: | Science Photo Library / Fenolio, Dante |
Bildgröße: | 3922 px × 2400 px |
Modell-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Eigentums-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Restrictions: | - |