Diancistrus pohnpeiensis Schwarzhans, Møller & Nielsen, 2005
Pohnpei coralbrotula
Diancistrus pohnpeiensis
photo by W. Schwarzhans et al.

Family:  Dinematichthyidae (Viviparous brotula)
Max. size:  8.2 cm SL (male/unsexed); 5.9 cm SL (female)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 27 - 46 m
Distribution:  Central Pacific: apparently endemic to the Pohnpei State, Micronesia. Appears to be allopatric with Diancistrus eremitus (from Hermit and Stewart Is. And Fiji further south) and with Diancistrus mennei (from Marshall and possibly Kiribati).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 83-85; Anal soft rays: 66-69; Vertebrae: 45-46. The species is characterized by the following: vertebrae 11+34-35=45-46, dorsal fin rays 83-85, anal fin rays 66-69; very large eyes (>3.0% SL), D/V 6; outer pseudoclasper large, more than twice the length of inner pseudoclasper, wing-shaped, with moderately narrow base and strongly expanded tip with fleshy bulge; inner pseudoclasper joined to outer pseudoclasper anteriorly, thin, with single sharply pointed tip, slightly extending over anterior part of outer pseudoclasper; moderately broad scale patch on cheek with 5-6 scale rows on upper cheek, 2-3 scales on operculum above opercular spine (1 row); the head massive; otolith moderately slender, length to height ratio 1.9-20 (Ref. 57884).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 16 August 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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