Author: Clarke, 1879
Benthodesmus elongatus Clarke, 1879
Status in World Register of Marine Species:
Accepted name: Benthodesmus elongatus (Clarke, 1879) (updated 2009-06-25)
Diagnosis: D XLIV XLVI + 104-109; A II + 93-102; P 12; V I + 1; external anal fin rays restricted to hinder part of fin base; pelvic fins below pectoral fin origin. Colour: silvery with dusky shading on back and fins. Size: to 130 cm SL.
Habitat: oceanic, benthopelagic on continental slope and underwater rises; juveniles mesopelagic. Food: fishes, squids, crustaceans. Reproduction: see family.
Distribution: eastern North Atlantic from Iceland to Madeira and the Canaries. Elsewhere, western Atlantic from Newfoundland to Bermuda Is. (B. elongatus simonyi); southern Hemisphere near South Africa, New Zealand and Sala y Gomez Is. (B. elongatus elongatus); northern Pacific from Japan and Vancouver I. to California (B. elongatus pacificus).
Subspecies:
Benthodesmus elongatus elongatus: D XLIII-XLV + 101-104, totally 146-148; A II + 92-95.
Benthodesmus elongatus simonyi (Steindachner, 1891): D XLIV-XLVI + 104-109, totally 148-155; A II + 93-102.
Eggs, larvae and young stages. Parin and Becker, 1972: 186.
Otoliths (sagitta). No data.
Benthodesmus elongatus pacificus: Parin and Becker, 1970: D XLIV-XLV + 98-102, totally 143-146; A II + 91-93.