Melanostigma kharini Balushkin & Moganova, 2018

Family:  Zoarcidae (Eelpouts), subfamily: Gymnelinae
Max. size:  16.4 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 290 - 780 m
Distribution:  South Pacific Ocean: Hercules Ridge
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 91-91; Anal soft rays: 71-71; Vertebrae: 93-97. This species is distinguished by the following characters: complete supratemporal commissure; no pores in temporal canal; no lateral lines on body; gill rakers on first branchial arch 12?14 in external row and 16?17 in internal row, total 28?30; pectoral fin rays 8-9; vertebrae 93?97 including 20?22 abdominal and 73?76 caudal; elongated and asymmetrical centra, length of anterior part of centrum (in abdominal part from fifth to eighth centrum) less than 60% of length of posterior part of centrum; dark anterior tip of head and tail, almost black posterior part of tail (Ref. 118708).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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