Black seadevil

The black seadevil (Melanocetus johnsonii) is a deep-sea anglerfish found in tropical and temperate oceans worldwide. Females use a bioluminescent lure to attract prey.

Illicium (fish anatomy): A modified dorsal-fin ray that forms the stalk carrying an anglerfish’s lure. The black seadevil’s lure is borne at the end of this specialized stalk.
Lophiiformes: The fish order that includes anglerfishes, many of which use modified fins as lures. The black seadevil belongs to this diverse order of lure-bearing fishes.
Black seadevil (Melanocetus): A genus of deep-sea anglerfishes whose species include the humpback anglerfish and black seadevil. The genus name is also used informally for the family’s other species.
Deep-sea food web: The network of feeding relationships among organisms living in deep ocean environments. The black seadevil is a predator within this food web.
Esca (fish anatomy): The fleshy, often luminous bait at the tip of an anglerfish’s illicium. Its light-producing esca attracts prey in the black seadevil’s dark habitat.
Melanocetidae: A family of deep-sea anglerfishes known as black seadevils. This family places the species among its close relatives.
Humpback anglerfish: A deep-sea anglerfish species, Melanocetus murrayi, in the same genus as the black seadevil. It is a close relative that shares the genus but is a distinct species.
Evolution of anglerfish: The evolutionary history of anglerfishes, including the origins of their lures and unusual mating systems. The species’ traits offer evidence for how deep-sea anglerfish diversified.
Bioluminescence: Light produced by living organisms through chemical reactions or symbiosis with light-producing microbes. The black seadevil’s lure uses biological light rather than reflected sunlight.
Sexual dimorphism: A difference in form or size between males and females of the same species. Female black seadevils are much larger than the minute males.

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