Phenacoscorpius mccoskeri Wibowo & Motomura, 2017
McCosker’s no-line scorpionfish
Phenacoscorpius mccoskeri
photo by Wibowo & Motomura, 2017

Family:  Scorpaenidae (Scorpionfishes or rockfishes), subfamily: Scorpaeninae
Max. size:  10.05 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range - 515 m
Distribution:  Southeast Pacific: Galápagos Is., off Darwin I.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 12-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-9; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 5-5. This species is distinguised by the following set of characters: pectoral-fin rays 19-20, with second to ninth rays branched; pored lateral-line scales 5-19 with posteriormost pore situated from below base of fifth dorsal-fin spine to anterior of caudal peduncle; scale rows in longitudinal series 46-48; presence of palatine teeth; small slit behind the fourth gill arch; no second preopercular spine; nuchal and parietal spines are distinct but joined at base; head large, long, its width 17.7-19.5% (mean 18.8%) of SL and length 46.1-51.9% (48.7%) of SL; interorbital space broad, its width at vertical midline of eye 8.0-8.9% (8.3%) of SL and posterior end of preocular spine base 6.2-6.8% (6.4%) of SL; postorbital length 24.1-25.2% (24.7%) of SL; deep caudal peduncle, depth 10.0-11.0% (10.7%) of SL (Ref. 116601).
Biology:  The specimens were collected from a very steep rocky wall area with white sponges and stony corals, galathiid crabs, large ateleopodids (Guentherus altivela), morids, scorpionfish (Pontius), and catsharks at 515 m depth. It was observed to be solitary and not associated with other animals (Ref. 116601).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 15 September 2022 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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