Discovery of Photonectes uncinatus on the Walvis Ridge (Southeast Atlantic) and Species Redescription (Melanostomiidae)

The second specimen of the rare species Photonectes uncinatus, previously known only by the holotype from the Rio Grande Rise (Southwest Atlantic), was discovered in the samples of Melanostomiidae from the Walvis Ridge made by I.A. Trunov in 1976. The redescription of the species taking into account new data is provided, and the individual variability of a number of diagnostically significant morphological characters is clarified. It has been established that the features of the arrangement of teeth on the palatinum are of diagnostic value for definition of the groups of species within the genus Photonectes. Based on published data, P. uncinatus is also indicated for waters of New Zealand (Bounty Plateau). The type of range of this species is discussed.