First record of Aphanopus microphthalmus Norman, 1939 (Teleostei: Trichiuridae) from the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone

Abstract

Aphanopus microphthalmus Norman, 1939 is a rare benthopelagic deep-sea species occurring at depths of 810 to 1020 m previously reported from Western Indian Ocean, eastern South Atlantic and South China Sea. Occurrences of this species from the world Oceans are found to be scanty. The present specimens, collected at a depth of 1022 m, represent the first occurrence of this genus in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone, and first record of this species in the southeastern Arabian Sea.