Geographic Range Expansion and Taxonomic Notes of the Shortfin Neoscopelid Neoscopelus cf. microchir (Myctophiformes: Neoscopelidae) in the North-Eastern Atlantic
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
The manuscript describes a specimen of Neoscopelus microchir, which has been recorded for the first time on the Porcupine Bank, southwestern Ireland, based on morphometric and meristic parameters. The manuscript is well-written, with sound scientific content and approaches.
Minor revision is required as follows:
· The Lines from 43-46 in the introduction should be included under Study area in the Materials and Methods section
· Line 123. However, in this case, molecular taxonomy showed discrepancies whit the mor- Correct Whit to with.
· Add a conclusion at the end.
Author Response
The Lines from 43-46 in the introduction should be included under Study area in the Materials and Methods section
This paragraph has been moved to the Materials and Methods section.
Line 123.However, in this case, molecular taxonomy showed discrepancies whit the mor- Correct Whit to with.
This error has been corrected.
Add a conclusion at the end.
We consider that it is not necessary in a brief manuscript such as this one.
Reviewer 2 Report
The manuscrito entitled “Geographic range expansion and taxonomic notes of the short- 2 fin neoscopelid Neoscopelus cf. microchir (Myctophiformes: 3 Neoscopelidae) in the north-eastern Atlantic” provides new information regarding the spatial distribution of the shortfin neoscopelid species. The manuscript is well written and minor changes are required before its acceptance and publication. Besides that, and due to its characteristics, it should be considered as a short communication.
L53: At the end of the Introduction, lack the objective of the present study.
L54: Please start this section providing information about the survey design and methodology.
L61: It is important to mention here which morphometric and meristic measurements were obtained. The Figure 1 should come after this sentence.
Figure 1: You can take advantage of this figure to indicate schematically how the morphometric measurements were obtained.
L81-82: This information should come at the beginning of the Material and Methods after the survey description.
L90: Include in the text at least information on total length and weight of the specimen. Table 1 should be inserted immediately afterwards.
L113: Please provide what the %LS means in the Table caption.
Author Response
L53: At the end of the Introduction, lack the objective of the present study.
A new sentence has been added with the aim of this study.
L54: Please start this section providing information about the survey design and methodology.
A paragraph describing the survey design and methodology has been added.
L61: It is important to mention here which morphometric and meristic measurements were obtained. The Figure 1 should come after this sentence.
In our opinion, Figure 1 is part of the results section, not the material and methods section.
Figure 1: You can take advantage of this figure to indicate schematically how the morphometric measurements were obtained.
The figure is necessary to show the specimen but indicating measurement on the figure may not be necessary, this methodology is already well known and is represented in numerous ichthyological documents such as the FAO guides.
L81-82: This information should come at the beginning of the Material and Methods after the survey description.
The capture of the sampled specimen is a result, but the capture method is now described in Material and Methods following one of the referees’ recommendations.
L90: Include in the text at least information on total length and weight of the specimen.
Both data were incorporate into the text.
Table 1 should be inserted immediately afterwards.
Done.
L113: Please provide what the %LS means in the Table caption.
Done.
