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The subfamily of the deep-sea hatchetfish (Sternoptychinae) comprises three recent genera with a total of about 40 species and occurs worldwide in almost all tropical and temperate seas: Argyropelecus with about 7 species, Polyipnus with about 32 species and Sternoptyx with currently 4 species. The Sternoptychinae have a deep-bellied, laterally strongly flattened shape; the body shape reminds somewhat of a hatchet. The height of the recent species is between 3 cm and 12 cm. The body is covered with delicate silvery scales; in some species parts of the body are transparent. Sternoptychidae can produce light with organs called photophores, of which they have between 3 and 7 – usually 6 – on the branchiostegal membrane along the lower edge of the chest and belly. Taxonomy according to Prokofiev 2010. Originally described by Jerzmanska (1960) under the name Polyipnus sobnioviensis, the fish was transferred to the newly created genus Jerzmanskaephos by Prokofiev in 2010. Expanded diagnosis after Prokofiev 2010: "A small fish - maximum known SL [standard length] up to 45 mm. Body is deep in the area of the pectoral girdle (2.5-3.0 times in SL) and rapidly decreases towards caudal peduncle. Orbit is approximately half of head length, and interorbital space is narrow. Maxillae are bent in the middle part at the almost right angle, and its posterior part is narrow; mandibular joint is situated under the anterior edge of orbit or slightly behind it; symphysis of mandible is small and without prominences; jaws have small, needle -like teeth. Suspensorium is inklined forward; urohyale is small. Bones of skull and pectoral girdle are not sculptured...." Line drawing from Prokofiev 2010, p. 591 Identified by oilshale. Reference: JERZMAÑSKA, A. (1960) Ichthyofauna from the Jasło Shales of Sobniów. ACTA PALAEONTOLOGICA POLONICA Vol. V, No. 4, pp. 367—432. KOTLARCZYK, J.; JERZMAÑSKA, A.; OEWIDNICKA, E.; WISZNIOWSKA, T. (2006) A FRAMEWORK OF ICHTHYOFAUNAL ECOSTRATIGRAPHY OF THE OLIGOCENE-EARLY MIOCENE STRATA OF THE POLISH OUTER CARPATHIAN BASIN. Annales Societatis Geologorum Poloniae, vol. 76: 1-111. PROKOFIEV, A. M. (2010) Two new genera of Oligocene Stomiiformes. Journal of Ichthyology. 50, 590–595.