Benthosema

Benthosema is a genus of lanternfishes in the family Myctophidae, comprising several species that inhabit pelagic ecosystems of all the world's oceans. Members are small, slender fishes with soft bodies and numerous light-producing photophores arranged along the head, sides, and fins. The bioluminescence supports camouflage and signaling in the dim mesopelagic zone and helps individuals recognize conspecifics.

Distribution and habitat: Benthosema species are primarily mesopelagic, occupying depths roughly from 200 to 1,000 meters, though they may move through a broader vertical range seasonally or with day-night cycles. They occur in temperate and polar waters worldwide, with species- and region-specific distributions in boreal Atlantic and Pacific waters, as well as subantarctic and Antarctic regions.

Biology and ecology: Diets consist mainly of zooplankton, including copepods and larval crustaceans. They serve as an important food source for larger pelagic fishes, marine mammals, and seabirds, placing them high in marine food webs. Through diel vertical migration, Benthosema individuals contribute to the transport of organic matter from surface waters to deeper layers, influencing carbon cycling.

Species: Notable species include Benthosema murrayi and Benthosema glaciale. The genus includes additional species described across different oceans, reflecting a broad adaptation to various oceanographic conditions.

Human interactions: Benthosema is not targeted by major commercial fisheries, but lanternfishes collectively support significant marine food webs and may be impacted by changes in ocean temperatures, productivity, and predator communities.