|
Opistognathus bathyphilus Smith-Vaniz, 2023 Lansdowne jawfish |
| Family: | Opistognathidae (Jawfishes) | |||
| Max. size: | 6.63 cm SL (female) | |||
| Environment: | demersal; marine; depth range 120 - 150 m | |||
| Distribution: | Western Pacific: Lansdowne Bank on the Lord Howe Ridge. | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-11; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 11-11; Vertebrae: 26-26. This species is distinguished by the following characters: with a rigid upper jaw lacking flexible lamina posteriorly, extending about 0.9 eye diameters behind posterior margin of orbit; infraorbitals are relatively slender and tubular, the third infraorbital with moderate posterolateral projecting arm ending with large sensory canal opening, no suborbital shelf; D XI,11; A II,11; vertebrae 10+16; gill rakers 12+25. Colouration: nape with a dark blotch slightly in advance of dorsal-fin origin; dorsum with a row of 5 dark blotches extending distinctly onto dorsal fin and the last blotch on dorsal fin at least as wide as anterior blotches (Ref. 128653). | |||
| Biology: | ||||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 17 September 2024 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||