Deep-sea Angler
An organism that inhabits the deep ocean that has many adaptations for its extreme environment is the deep-sea angler, Melanocoetus johnson. Females are much larger than males and have a bioluminescent stalk between their eyes. They use this stalk to attract baitfish to a sharp set protruding teeth. The male deep-sea anglers are much smaller than the females and his main purpose is to locate a female. The males have highly sensitive nostrils they use to sniff out their mate in the complete darkness at 2.3km beneath the surface. One a female is located, the male angler attaches himself to the underside of the female with his teeth and remains there as a parasite. He feeds from the female until he is needed to fertilize eggs. These fish only have to mate once in their lives because the male becomes physically part of the female and will fertilize all of her future eggs.
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