Melanostigma bellingshauseni Orlovskaya & Balushkin, 2020

Family:  Zoarcidae (Eelpouts), subfamily: Gymnelinae
Max. size:  19.39 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 1000 - 1010 m
Distribution:  Southern Indian Ocean: Kerguelen Plateau.
Diagnosis:  Vertebrae: 86-91. This species is distinguished by the following characters: supratemporal commissure complete (full), without interruptions and losses of segments; no coronal commissure; with pore in the temporal canal; body lateral line with three series of neuromasts (predorsal, dorsolateral, and mediolateral); gill rakers on the first branchial arch 27 (23-27), of which 13 (10-13) in external row; 14 (13-16) in internal row; pectoral-fin rays 8; vertebrae 87 (86-91) including 21 (21-23) abdominal and 66 (68-71) caudal vertebrae; maxilla length 7.4 (6.5-7.8)% SL; upper lip coalesce with snout; abdominal vertebrae is slightly asymmetrical; length of anterior part of the center of vertebrae (in area of fifth to eighth vertebrae) 70-92% of length of its posterior part; body and head including snout tip, nostril tubes, and oral cavity light; tail with dark stripe at tips of dorsal, anal, and caudal fins (Ref. 123831).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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