Phyllopteryx dewysea Stiller, Wilson & Rouse, 2015
Ruby seadragon
Phyllopteryx dewysea
photo by Stiller, J.

Family:  Syngnathidae (Pipefishes and seahorses), subfamily: Syngnathinae
Max. size:  25.9 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 50 - 72 m
Distribution:  Eastern Indian Ocean: Western Australia.
Diagnosis:  This species is distinguished by its red colour, and pink vertical bars that extend halfway up the body to the lateral trunk ridges; it has 18 trunk segments; head crest without appendage; enlarged pectoral area; dorsally enlarged spine on trunk ring 11 that is pointed forward; a pair of enlarged ventral spines on rings 8 and 17; the body deepest on ring 12, behind dorsal spine; spines on lateral trunk ridge are not continuous with lateral tail ridges (Ref. 100032).
Biology:  Occurs more offshore in slightly deeper waters; at 50+m with complex habitat of a mixed reef and sandy habitat with two paratypes collected from the continental shelf (Ref. 100032).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 11 December 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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