# Linophryne

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***Linophryne***, the **bearded seadevils**, is a [genus](/source/Genus) of [marine](/source/Marine_life) [ray-finned fishes](/source/Actinopterygii) belonging to the [family](/source/Family_(taxonomy)) [Linophrynidae, the leftvents](/source/Leftvent). These [deep sea anglerfishes](/source/Ceratioidei) are found in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans.

## Taxonomy

*Linophryne* was first proposed as a [monospecific genus](/source/Monospecific_genus) in 1886 by the Norwegian [zoologist](/source/Zoologist) [Robert Collett](/source/Robert_Collett) when he [described](/source/Species_description) *L. lucifer* as a new species.[3] Collett gave the [type locality](/source/Type_locality_(biology)) of *L. lucifer* as off [Madeira](/source/Madeira) at around 36°N, 20°W.[4] The 5th edition of *[Fishes of the World](/source/Fishes_of_the_World)* classifies this genus within the family Linophrynidae, which it places within the [suborder](/source/Suborder) [Ceratioidei](/source/Ceratioidei), the deep sea anglerfishes, within the order [Lophiiformes, the anglerfishes](/source/Anglerfish).[5]

## Etymology

*Linophryne* prefixes *linos*, which means "net", an allusion Collett did not explain when he proposed the genus, with *phryne*, meaning "toad". The prefix may be a reference to the sac like mouth hanging off the trunk, which in the [holotype](/source/Holotype) contained a [lanternfish](/source/Lanternfish), like a fisherman's keep net. The second part *phryne* is commonly used in the names of anglerfish genera. Its use may date as far back as [Aristotle](/source/Aristotle) and [Cicero](/source/Cicero), who referred to anglerfishes as "fishing-frogs" and "sea-frogs," respectively, possibly because of their resemblance to frogs and toads.[6]

## Characteristics

*Linophryne* leftvents are [sexually dimorphic](/source/Sexually_dimorphic) and the [metamorphosed](/source/Metamorphosis) females can be distinguished from the other leftvent genera by a number of characters. These include the possession of a hyoid [barbel](/source/Barbel_(anatomy)), well-developed spines on the sphenotic bone and the [preoperculum](/source/Operculum_(fish)) and a single nearly oval bulb on the [esca](/source/Esca_(fish_anatomy)) with a short projection in its middle and has no appendages as well as a low number of fin rays in the [dorsal](/source/Dorsal_fin) and [anal fins](/source/Anal_fin).[7] The barbel filaments contain globular, [bioluminescent](/source/Bioluminescence) organs.[8][9] The barbels do not contain bacteria like the esca but complex [paracrystalline](/source/Paracrystallinity) photogenic granules.[clarification needed] The esca is [ectodermal](/source/Ectoderm) in origin whereas the barbel organs may be derived from the [mesoderm](/source/Mesoderm).[10]

The different species are distinguished by [characters](/source/Apomorphy_and_synapomorphy) of the esca and barbel;[clarification needed][11] males of the genus cannot be differentiated in morphology.[12][13] Both sexes are pigmented after metamorphosis, being black in color. They have no scales and [gelatinous](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/gelatinous) skin.[9] The largest species in the genus is *L. lucifer* which has a maximum published [standard length](/source/Standard_length) of 27.5 cm (10.8 in).[14]

## Species

*Linophryne* contains 22 recognised species, these are divided into 3 subgenera:[14]

- Subgenus *Linophryne* Collett, 1886 - *[Linophryne algibarbata](/source/Linophryne_algibarbata)* [Waterman](/source/Talbot_Howe_Waterman), 1939 - *[Linophryne arcturi](/source/Linophryne_arcturi)* [Beebe](/source/Charles_William_Beebe), 1926 - *[Linophryne argyresca](/source/Linophryne_argyresca)* [Regan](/source/Charles_Tate_Regan) & [Trewavas](/source/Ethelwynn_Trewavas), 1932 - *[Linophryne bicornis](/source/Linophryne_bicornis)* [Parr](/source/Albert_Eide_Parr), 1927 - *[Linophryne bipennata](/source/Linophryne_bipennata)* [Bertelsen](/source/Erik_Bertelsen), 1982 - *[Linophryne coronata](/source/Linophryne_coronata)* Parr, 1927 - *[Linophryne escaramosa](/source/Linophryne_escaramosa)* Bertelsen, 1982 - *[Linophryne lucifer](/source/Linophryne_lucifer)* Collett, 1886 - *[Linophryne macrodon](/source/Linophryne_macrodon)* Regan, 1925 - *[Linophryne maderensis](/source/Linophryne_maderensis)* [Maul](/source/G%C3%BCnther_Maul), 1961 - *[Linophryne polypogon](/source/Linophryne_polypogon)* Regan, 1925 - *[Linophryne racemifera](/source/Linophryne_racemifera)* Regan & Trewavas, 1932 - *[Linophryne sexfilis](/source/Linophryne_sexfilis)* Bertelsen, 1973 - *[Linophryne trewavasae](/source/Linophryne_trewavasae)* Bertelsen, 1978
- Subgenus *Rhizophryne* Bertelsen, 1982 - *[Linophryne andersoni](/source/Linophryne_andersoni)* [Gon](/source/Ofer_Gon), 1992 - *[Linophryne arborifera](/source/Linophryne_arborifera)* Regan, 1925 - *[Linophryne brevibarbata](/source/Linophryne_brevibarbata)* Beebe, 1932 - *[Linophryne densiramus](/source/Linophryne_densiramus)* [S. Imai](/source/Sadahiko_Imai), 1941 (Thickbranch angler) - *[Linophryne parini](/source/Linophryne_parini)* Bertelsen, 1980 - *[Linophryne pennibarbata](/source/Linophryne_pennibarbata)* Bertelsen, 1980
- Subgenus *Stephanophryne* Bertelsen, 1982 - *[Linophryne indica](/source/Linophryne_indica)* [Brauer](/source/August_Bernhard_Brauer), 1902 (Headlight angler) - *[Linophryne quinqueramosus](/source/Linophryne_quinqueramosus)* Beebe & [Crane](/source/Jocelyn_Crane), 1947

### Fossil record

*Linophryne* is represented in the fossil record by what may be *L. indica* was found in Late [Miocene](/source/Miocene)-aged [Puente Formation](/source/Puente_Formation) of [Los Angeles](/source/Los_Angeles), [California](/source/California), along with a fossil of the related *[Borophryne apogon](/source/Borophryne_apogon)*, during the construction of a [metrorail](/source/Public_transport).[1]

## Distribution and habitat

*Linophryne* is [found circumglobally](/source/Cosmopolitan_distribution) in all three equatorial Oceans,[14] up to as far north as Iceland and Greenland in the Atlantic Ocean.[15] They are found at depths between 0 and 2,200 m (0 and 7,218 ft).[16][17]

## References

1. CARNEVALE, GIORGIO; THEODORE W. PIETSCH; GARY T. TAKEUCHI; RICHARD W. HUDDLESTON (2008). ["Fossil ceratioid anglerfishes (Teleostei: Lophiiformes) from the Miocene of the Los Angeles Basin, California"](http://www.washington.edu/burkemuseum/collections/ichthyology/documents/pietsch/Fossil_ceratioids_pietsch.pdf). *Journal of Paleontology*. **82** (5): 996–1008. [Bibcode:2008JPal...82..996C](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2008JPal...82..996C). [doi:10.1666/07-113.1](https://doi.org/10.1666/07-113.1). [S2CID 129926776](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:129926776). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160303225330/http://www.washington.edu/burkemuseum/collections/ichthyology/documents/pietsch/Fossil_ceratioids_pietsch.pdf) 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2012-07-19.

1. CARNEVALE & PIETSCH "THE DEEP-SEA ANGLERFISH GENUS *ACENTROPHRYNE* (TELEOSTEI, CERATIOIDEI, LINOPHRYNIDAE) IN THE MIOCENE OF CALIFORNIA" Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 29(2):372–378, June 2009 [\[1\]](http://www.washington.edu/burkemuseum/collections/ichthyology/documents/pietsch/Acentrophryne_fossil.pdf) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160303205336/http://www.washington.edu/burkemuseum/collections/ichthyology/documents/pietsch/Acentrophryne_fossil.pdf) 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine

1. Nelson, J.S.; Grande, T.C.; Wilson, M.V.H. (2016). *Fishes of the World*. 5th ed. Hoboken, NJ: [John Wiley & Sons](/source/John_Wiley_%26_Sons). pp. 508–518. [doi:10.1002/9781119174844](https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119174844). ISBN 978-1-118-34233-6. LCCN 2015037522. [OCLC 951899884](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/951899884)

1. Christopher Scharpf (22 August 2024). ["Order LOPHIIFORMES (part 2): Families CAULOPHRYNIDAE, NEOCERATIIDAE, MELANOCETIDAE, HIMANTOLOPHIDAE, DICERATIIDAE, ONEIRODIDAE, THAUMATICHTHYIDAE, CENTROPHRYNIDAE, CERATIIDAE, GIGANTACTINIDAE and LINOPHRYNIDAE"](https://etyfish.org/lophiiformes2/). *The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database*. Christopher Scharpf. Retrieved 21 June 2024.

1. Bañón, Rafael; Pietsch, Theodore; Piñeiro, Carmen (2006). ["New record of *Linophryne coronata*, (Lophiiformes, Linophrynidae) from the North-eastern Atlantic Ocean"](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/233734371). *Cybium: International Journal of Ichthyology*. **30**: 385–386.

1. Anderson, M. Eric & Leslie, Robin W. (2001). ["REVIEW OF THE DEEP-SEA ANGLERFISHES (LOPHIIFORMES: CERATIOIDEI) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA"](http://www.bioline.org.br/request?fb01002). *Ichthyological Bulletin*. **70**: 1–32.

1. Bertelsen, Erik & Pietsch, Theodore W. (1983-06-14). [*The ceratioid anglerfishes of Australia, Records of the Australian Museum*](https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/64094924#page/106/mode/1up). Vol. 35, no. 2. p. 94. [doi:10.3853/j.0067-1975.35.1983.303](https://doi.org/10.3853/j.0067-1975.35.1983.303). Retrieved 2 March 2025.

1. Hansen, Kjold & Herring, Peter J. (1977). ["Dual bioluminescent systems in the anglerfish genus *Linophryne* (Pisces: Ceratioidea)"](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/230018708). *Journal of Zoology*. **182** (1): 103–124. [doi:10.1111/j.1469-7998.1977.tb04144.x](https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7998.1977.tb04144.x)

1. Waterman, Talbot Howe (1939). ["Studies on deep-sea angler-fishes (Ceratioidea)"](https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/4538043#page/114/mode/1up). *Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard College*. **85**: 85–89. Retrieved 2 March 2025.

1. Bertelsen, E (1980). ["Notes on Linophrynidae 5: a revision of the deepsea anglerfishes of the Linophryne arborifera-group (Pisces, Ceratoidei)"](https://eurekamag.com/research/021/437/021437497.php). *Steenstrupia*. **6** (6): 29–70. [ISSN 0375-2909](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/0375-2909). Retrieved 2 March 2025.

1. Holotype

1. Carpenter, K.E.; Robertson, R.; Matson, C.; Rivera Higueras, M. (2019). "*Linophryne bicornis*". [doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T140191559A140323028.en](https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T140191559A140323028.en). Retrieved 22 August 2024.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Linophryne](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linophryne) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linophryne?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.