Author: Günther, 1887
Omosudis lowei Günther, 1887
Status in World Register of Marine Species:
Accepted name: Omosudis lowii Günther, 1887 (updated 2009-06-25)
Diagnosis: body strongly compressed. Head deep, compressed; eye large, entirely covered by an adipose lid with a rounded anterodorsal opening; mouth large, premaxillary teeth minute, uniserial; fixed canines on dentaries and palatines. Dorsal fin short, at midpoint of body, with 9-11 finrays; anal fin far posterior, with 13-14 finrays; pectoral fin with 12-13 finrays; pelvic fin with 8 finrays, its origin slightly behind vertical from origin of dorsal fin; caudal fin deeply forked; dorsal adipose fin present, short based. Scales absent, lateral line present in younger stages; lateral dermal keel above posterior part of anal fin, absent in adults. Vertebrae 39-41. Colour: Iight, iridescent with brownish dorsal band, melanophores scattered all over; peritoneum silvery. Size: to 20-25 cm.
Habitat: adults meso- to bathypelagic over deepwater, young epi- to mesopelagic; probably swift swimmers, which can avoid nets; captured singly or in small groups. Food: carnivorous, feeding on squids and pelagic fishes. Reproduction: continuous throughout year, but chiefly in spring
and summer.
Distribution: southern Portugal and Madeira northward to 30° N. Elsewhere, worldwide in tropical to temperate oceans; most northern record from about 40° N, most southern record from about 35° S, both from the Atlantic Ocean.
Eggs, larvae and young stages. Beebe, 1932: 71-74, fig. 16-17 | Ege, 1958: 10-14, fig. 1-2 | Rofen, 1966: 472-476, fig. 168.
Otoliths (sagitta). Kotthaus, 1972: fig. 104.