First Record of Loppe's Tadpole Fish Ijimaia Loppei (Ateleopodidae) in the Gulf of Cadiz (SW Iberian Peninsula), Including Notes on its Diet

• DOI: 10.1007/s41208-024-00742-x
• Publication Date: 2024-07-20T09:01:44Z
• Authors: Gustavo F. de Car...; Ángela Rodríguez-...; Cristóbal Lobato ...; Enrique González-...
• Keywords: Peninsula; Meristics; Mud volcano

Abstract This paper reports the first record of a rare deep-sea fish Ijimaia loppei Roule, 1922 (Ateleopodiformes: Ateleopodidae) in Southwest Iberian Peninsula, based on single specimen (total length 1271 mm) bottom trawled mud volcano field Gulf Cadiz, Spain (36º 28′ 54'' N, 7º 07′ 47'' W), at depth 585 m, April 24, 2024. The morphometric and meristic measurements I. its congener, antillarum , are presented compared to previously published data. Further, this study provides insights into diet fills gap known geographical distribution species, thereby contributing understanding ichthyofaunal biodiversity Cadiz establishing conservation strategies for habitats ecological importance, such as volcanoes.