| Family: |
Opistognathidae (Jawfishes) |
| Max. size: |
4.74 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 10 - 25 m |
| Distribution: |
Southwest Atlantic Ocean: Brazil. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14-14; Anal spines: 2-3; Anal soft rays: 12-13; Vertebrae: 27-27. This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: anterior nostril is a short tube with simple cirrus on posterior rim; maxilla rigid, not produced as a thin flexible lamina posteriorly; no supramaxilla; subopercle without a broad, fan-like flap; vomer no teeth; body with 43-47 oblique body scale rows in longitudinal series; vertebrae 10 + 17 = 27. Colouration: sides with two rows of pale spots, each approximately diameter of eye; body with six vertically irregular, evenly spaced bands, widest on mid-side, and two rows of six pale spots, each spot approximately diameter of eye; buccal area surrounding esophageal opening is pale. Also easily disinguished from its congeners by the divergence in the mitochondrial gene COI, as specimens form a monophyletic group that differs from its closest relative (O. whitehursti) by an
average of 11% (654 bp analyzed) (Ref. 129348). |
| Biology: |
This species is common in coastal regions, in depths associated with gravel-sand bottoms, near coral reefs and rocky areas. Feeds mainly on small benthic organisms near the bottom (e.g., small shrimps, crabs, and isopods) (Ref. 129348). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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