Dear Colleagues
By mid April 2018 a freediving spearfisherman collected this specimen near the surface on the S coast of Terceira Island, Azores, Portugal and was kind enough to film it swimming and collecting the larva which I keep frozen in sea water thus it being, in perfect condition. Together with our colleagues @Manuel Biscoito and @Ronald Fricke we've started to study it albeit with no conclusions so if anyone can give us an idea or even be willing for a - presumably justifiable - short note on an icthyology journal we surely appreciate it.
Please contact me via my e-mail: [email protected]
Many thanks and best regards,
JP
Maybe this publication will be helpful in some way.
Article Perspectives for the lionfish invasion in the South Atlantic...
Dear Adrian
That is a very good guess. I've been searching and it does look similar. Further photos are needed for a strenghtening opinion.
Many thanks indeed. Best,
JP
Dear colleagues
Just to let you know that this is now solved. Thanks to Peter Wirtz I contacted @Tom Trnski at Auckland, NZ who did identify this larva as within the genus Bathysaurus. The specimen is presently being fixed in Formalin in order to send it to NZ next week. Thanks to all of you who helped and expressed their interest especially to Adrian Wysocki
Dear Dr. Kojima
Many thanks for your answer. It is confirmed as such. The specimen is now in the Auckland Museum with Tom Trnski.
Hope this message finds you well and healthy.
With best regards,
JP
And "whata" pic, JP!! Beautiful fish and picture.
Best and be safe you all
Alfie
Dear Alfie
Thanks for your message. Hope you're safe and healthy.
We're fine in the Azores' islands,
JP