Paraphyonus merretti Nielsen, 2015

Family:  Bythitidae (Livebearing brotulas)
Max. size:  8.5 cm SL (male/unsexed); 12.5 cm SL (female)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 4453 - 4540 m
Distribution:  Eastern Central Atlantic: off NW Africa.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 67-70; Anal soft rays: 49-52; Vertebrae: 64-65. This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: long rakers on first gill arch 14-16; D 67-70; precaudal vertebrae 29-30, total vertebra 64-65; height of head 21.0-23.0 % SL and origin of dorsal fin above vertebra no. 22 (Ref. 105129).
Biology:  Only three specimens were caught in bottom fishing gear at abyssal depths. The stomach of the holotype contained unidentifiable remains of crustaceans. Viviparous with the presence of 6 mm long embryos (Ref. 105129).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 16 August 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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