Jan 27, 2013

Deep-Sea Creatures in Souvenir Sheets FDC from TAIWAN

FDC Name:Deep-Sea Creatures in Taiwan Souvenir Sheets
Issue Date:12th DEC'2012(12-12-12)
To increase understanding about deep sea creatures, Chunghwa Post has issued two souvenir sheets featuring animals that live in the mesopelagic zone of waters near Taiwan. Their designs follow:
Souvenir Sheet A: includes four stamps
1. Eurypharynx pelecanoides (NT$10): This mesopelagic and bathyalpelagic fish lives at depths of 500-3,000 meters. Despite its huge mouth, the fish mostly preys on small crustaceans due to its tiny teeth and stomach that can’t be over-stretched.
2. Argyropelecus aculeatus (NT$12): Commonly known as the Atlantic silver hatchetfish, it lives at depths of 200-1,000 meters. Its flat silver body resembles a mirror, reflecting the colors of its surroundings to camouflage itself. The light organs along its belly also help it conceal itself by producing light that hides its own shadow.
3. Bufoceratias shaoi (NT$10): This species lives at depths of 500-1,200 meters. Its body is globular in shape but slightly flatter on the sides. The tip of its first dorsal fin has evolved to become a light organ called the illicium or esca, which contains many symbiotic bioluminescent bacteria. The esca can emit light to lure curious prey—hence its Chinese nickname: “lantern fish.”
4. Regalecus glesne (NT$12): This mesopelagic fish is found at depths ranging from the surface to 1,000 meters. There have been occasional sightings of it in waters off the coast of Taiwan. The world’s longest bony fish, it can grow up to 11 meters. It is nicknamed the “earthquake fish” in Taiwan because it is often spotted by fishermen after earthquakes.
The marginal inscription features Leptocephalus (upper left corner), Ctenophora (lower right corner) and Bobtail squid (lower left corner).
Souvenir Sheet B: includes one stamp
Histioteuthis celetaria pacifica (NT$25): This species lives at depths of 300-500 meters. Densely covered with light organs, its body can emit just the right amount of light to camouflage itself. One of its eyes has evolved to be larger than the other so as to help it search for prey.The marginal inscription features Pyrosoma sp. (upper left corner), Tomopteris sp. (right), Malacosteus niger (bottom) and Gnathophausia sp. (bottom left).
To highlight the bioluminescent characteristics of these deep sea creatures, the luminescent parts of these animals are printed in luminous ink, giving the stamps a charming effect under darkness. Furthermore, in order to illustrate the color of the silver hatchetfish, it is hot stamped with holographic foil.(Source-Chunghwa Post)
Remark:Thanks Shi Ching Chen for sending such nice FDC by registered post.Great issues by Chunghwa Post.I hope I will get such beautiful FDC in the year-2013 also.This is also a official 12-12-12 issue.

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