Lophiiformes
Lophiiformes is an order of ray-finned fishes that includes anglerfishes, known for adaptations such as modified fin rays used to lure prey.
Actinopterygii: Actinopterygii is the class of ray-finned fishes, whose fins are supported by bony rays. Lophiiformes belongs to this major fish lineage.
Bioluminescence: Bioluminescence is the production and emission of light by living organisms. Some deep-sea anglerfish use glowing escas to attract prey or mates.
Monkfish: Monkfish are edible anglerfishes, especially species in the genus Lophius. They are among the best-known commercially harvested members of the order.
European angler: The European angler, Lophius piscatorius, is a large northeastern Atlantic anglerfish also called the monkfish. Its modified dorsal ray and broad mouth typify the order’s familiar bottom-dwelling form.
Antennariidae: Antennariidae is a family of anglerfishes commonly known as frogfishes. It is one family within Lophiiformes, not a synonym for the whole order.
Ceratioidei: Ceratioidei is a suborder of deep-sea anglerfishes with distinctive reproductive adaptations. This suborder contains many familiar deep-sea forms within Lophiiformes.
Symbiosis: Symbiosis is a close, persistent interaction between organisms of different species. The luminous organs of some anglerfish depend on bacterial partners.
Fisheries science: Fisheries science studies the biology, assessment, and management of exploited aquatic populations. Population assessments guide harvest limits for commercially caught monkfish.
Black seadevil: The black seadevil, Melanocetus johnsonii, is a small deep-sea anglerfish with a bioluminescent lure. It is a recognizable example of ceratioid adaptation to darkness.
Aulostomidae: Aulostomidae is a family of trumpetfishes, elongated reef predators in the order Syngnathiformes. Trumpetfishes ambush prey but belong to a separate order and lack anglerfish lures.