|
Hyporthodus darwinensis (Randall & Heemstra, 1991) Darwin grouper |
|
|
photo by
FAO |
| Family: | Epinephelidae (Groupers) | |||
| Max. size: | 53.5 cm SL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | demersal; marine; depth range - 107 m | |||
| Distribution: | Western Central Pacific: known only from a single specimen caught off the north coast of Northern Territory, Australia and landed at Darwin. | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16-16; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 8-8. Distinguished by the following characteristics: yellowish brown body color, shading to yellowish ventrally; small faint irregular pale spots scattered over the head and body; yellowish brown dorsal and caudal fin with black posterior margin; traces of white line along the distal margin of soft dorsal and anal fins; distally blackish pectoral and pelvic fins; depth of body contained 2.8 times in SL; head length 2.6 times in SL; convex interorbital area; almost straight dorsal head profile; rounded preopercle angle with shallow indentation above angle and without enlarged serrae; straight upper edge of operculum; maxilla reaching almost to vertical at rear edge of eye; posterior nostrils 2.5 times larger than anterior nostrils; posteriorly rounded maxilla, with prominent angle on lower edge; small anterior canines in jaws; 3-4 rows of small teeth on midlateral part of lower jaw (Ref. 89707). | |||
| Biology: | Found on the continental shelf (Ref. 75154). Only a single specimen has been caught by hook and line at a depth of 107 m (Ref. 5222). Minimum depth from Ref. 58018. | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 18 November 2016 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||