| Family: |
Melamphaidae (Bigscale fishes or ridgeheads) |
| Max. size: |
14.8 cm SL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 9 years |
| Environment: |
bathypelagic; marine; depth range 164 - 2730 m |
| Distribution: |
Distribution needs to be defined. Formerly assigned as senior synonym of eight nominal species: P. atlantica, P. coronata, P. cristiceps, P. frontosa, P. nigriceps, P. nigrofulva, P. rugosa, P. unicornis (Ref. 83717). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 3-3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-13; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 9-10; Vertebrae: 27-29. This species is distinguished by the following characters: spinulated (without gap) posterior and lower edges of praeoperculum; insertion of ventral fins behind the vertical of posterior edge of pectoral fin insertion; upper jaw extends beyond the vertical of posterior eye edge; soft rays in dorsal fin 12-13, in anal fin 9-10; rakers at first gill arch 28-30; vertebrae 27-29; pyloric caeca 6 (Ref. 83717). |
| Biology: |
Oviparous, with planktonic eggs and larvae (Ref. 36655). There is significant morphological variation between populations (Ref. 4241). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 13 May 2013 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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