One of the mysteries of the English language finally explained.
Definition of myctophiform in English:
myctophiform
adjective
ZoologyOf or relating to the order Myctophiformes (subclass Actinopterygii), which comprises marine fishes having a slender body, a single dorsal fin, and a forked tail, and which includes the lanternfishes.
noun
ZoologyA fish belonging to the order Myctophiformes.
Origin
1960s; earliest use found in Systematic Zoology. From scientific Latin Myctophiformes, order name (attributed to C. T. Regan, 1913) from Myctophum, genus name + -formes, plural of -formis.