Illuminated netdevil facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Illuminated netdevil |
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| Drawing by Dr Tony Ayling | |
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The illuminated netdevil, also known as Linophryne arborifera, is a fascinating type of anglerfish. It belongs to the family called Linophrynidae. You can find this deep-sea creature in all warm, tropical, and subtropical oceans. It lives very deep, usually below 1,000 meters (about 3,300 feet), in a dark area of the ocean called the Bathyal zone. The female can grow up to 77 millimeters (about 3 inches) long. Interestingly, the male is much smaller and attaches itself to the female!
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What Makes the Netdevil Special?
The name Linophryne arborifera comes from Greek words. It means "tree-bearing flax-toad." This name hints at one of its unique features. The female netdevil has a special glowing lure on its head. This lure is called an esca, which is Latin for "food."
Female Features
Besides the esca, the female also has a unique, multi-branched barbel. This barbel hangs from her lower jaw. These barbel filaments contain many more organs that produce light.
Female netdevils are much larger than males. Females can reach up to 77 millimeters (3 inches) in length. Males, however, only grow to about 15 millimeters (0.6 inches). After they change into their adult form, both males and females are black. They do not have scales and their skin feels like jelly.
Male Features
Male netdevils have very well-developed eyes. These eyes are shaped like tubes and point slightly forward. Their nostrils are also large and work very well. These features help them find a female in the dark ocean.
Where Does the Netdevil Live?
The Linophryne arborifera lives in all tropical and subtropical oceans. It prefers very deep waters, usually below 1,000 meters (about 3,300 feet). This means it lives in the deep, dark parts of the ocean where sunlight cannot reach.
How Does the Netdevil Eat?
Netdevils are predators. They are known to eat other fish and small crustaceans. These are small creatures with hard shells, like shrimp.
How Males Get Food
Once a male netdevil finds a female, it attaches itself to her. It uses its jaws to hold onto her underside. Over time, their blood vessels and tissues connect. This allows the male to get all its food and nutrients directly from the female.
Scientists believe that free-living males (those not attached to a female) cannot eat. Their stomachs are often empty when caught. Also, their small teeth and undeveloped digestive system suggest they cannot catch or digest prey. It is thought that free-living males will die after a few months if they do not find and attach to a female.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
In all the illuminated netdevils found so far, only one male attaches to each female. This is different from some other types of anglerfish, where multiple males might attach. The eggs of the illuminated netdevil are quite large. They are about 0.6 to 0.8 millimeters in diameter. This makes them among the largest eggs known for any anglerfish.
How the Netdevil Glows
Many deep-sea fish have special organs that produce light. They use this light to attract prey or to find mates. This ability to make light is called bioluminescence.
Light Organs
Female netdevils have two main types of light organs. One is the esca, the glowing lure on her head. This esca has been compared to a pearl onion. It contains special glowing bacteria that produce the light.
The other light organs are found in the barbels that hang from her jaw. These barbels look like wavy seaweed. The light in the barbels is different. It does not come from bacteria. Instead, it comes from complex, crystal-like glowing particles.
