Bufoceratias wedli (Pietschmann, 1926)
Bufoceratias wedli
photo by JAMARC

Family:  Diceratiidae (Double anglers (Ref. 07463) or Doublespine Seadevils (Ref. 86949))
Max. size:  25 cm TL (female)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 300 - 1750 m
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea to coastal waters off Suriname. Eastern Atlantic: off Portugal to coastal waters of Namibia, as far south as about 24°S. The single specimen recorded from the Okinawa Trough, East China Sea (Ref. 51075) is a misidentification of Bufoceratias thele.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 2-2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 5-6; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 4-4. Metamorphosed females of Bufoceratias wedli differ from those of Bufoceratias shaoi in having a much smaller esca and a longer illicium (83-225% standard length versus 26-40% standard length), and from those of Bufoceratias thele in having distinct, anterior, posterior, and lateral escal appendages (Ref. 51070).
Biology:  Mesopelagic and bathypelagic near or on continental shelf (Ref. 6939). Males and larvae unknown (Ref. 51070), probably dwarfed, non-parasitic (Ref. 6939). Minimum depth from Ref. 6613.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 09 May 2013 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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