Morphological and immunohistochemical study on photophores of Gonostoma denudatum Rafinesque, 1810 (Fam: Gonostomatidae)

Abstract

A preliminary contribution to the knowledge of the photophore structure of the mesopelagic fish Gonostomadenudatum from the central Mediterranean Sea (Strait of Messina) is given by means of a structural and immunohistochemical study, to describe the component structures of these luminescent organs.Photophores of G. denudatumare made by different functional parts: the tank with photogenic cells, lens-filter and reflector surrounded the entire organ.

Keywords

• bioluminescence, lanternfish, luminous organ, structure, ultrastructure