| Melanocetidae (Black Seadevils) |
| 2 cm TL (male/unsexed); 12 cm TL (female) |
|
bathypelagic; marine; depth range 100 - 6370 m |
| Tropical to temperate parts of all oceans. |
|
Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-14; Anal soft rays: 4-4. Distinguishing characteristics of metamorphosed female: deeply concave anterior margin of vomer, least outside width between frontals 9.1-17.8% SL; upper jaw with 34-178 teeth, lower jaw 46-142 teeth; length of longest tooth in lower jaw 7.7-16.7% SL; width of pectoral fin lobe 6.1-8.9% SL; width of escal bulb 1.9-5.1% SL; length of illicium 23.1-37.2% SL; esca with minute crests or absent; skin with minute spinules restricted to caudal peduncle; relatively thin integument 0.48 mm (Ref. 86949). Distinguishing characteristics of metamorphosed male: upper denticular with 9-12 ventrally directed anterior teeth and posteromedial series of 3-5 teeth; lower denticular 10-13 teeth; posterior nostril contiguous with eye; 12-14 olfactory lamellae; skin naked or with few scattered dermal spinules (Ref. 86949). |
| Meso- (Ref. 58302) and bathypelagic (Ref. 58302, 75154). Males dwarfed, non-parasitic (Ref. 4491). |
|
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 09 May 2013 Ref. (130435)
|
| harmless |
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