Dragonfish: Photo and X-ray (IMAGE)

Smithsonian

Dragonfish: Photo and X-ray

Caption

The photo and the x-ray image show the external and internal morphology of a barbeled dragonfish that lives in the deep sea and attracts prey with its luminescent chin barbel. The X-ray image shows a barbeled dragonfish that has eaten a large lanternfish whole. This and other stomach content analyses support the hypothesis that the functional head joint greatly reinforces the maneuverability of the head in order to ingest large prey items whole.

Credit

Nalani Schnell, Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle

Usage Restrictions

News media use of the image files in relation to the publication in PLOS ONE are permitted.

License

Licensed content

Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.