| Family: |
Bythitidae (Livebearing brotulas) |
| Max. size: |
5 cm SL (male/unsexed); 6.9 cm SL (female) |
| Environment: |
bathydemersal; marine; depth range - 407 m |
| Distribution: |
Eastern Indian Ocean: Australia. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal soft rays (total): 80-84; Anal soft rays: 48-52; Vertebrae: 52-53. This species is distinguished from its congeners by having predorsal scales and by the following set of characters: pair of frontal spines above and behind eyes is more or less distinct and a median, sub-dermal, cartilaginous, ethmoidal spine in front of eyes; numerous neuromasts found below translucent head-skin arranged in four distinct clusters; with scales on body; anterior arch with 3 long gill rakers, 3-5 times length of filaments; prolonged pectoral peduncle; palatines with 2- tooth rows; lower angle of preoperculum with an antero-ventrally directed spine; vertebrae, precaudal 12-13, total 52-53; fin rays, D 80-84, A 48-52, pectoral 17-18; otolith length to height, 1.9, otolith length to colliculum length, 2.8-3.1 (Ref. 93007). |
| Biology: |
This viviparous species occurs on the upper continental slope. Female specimens have extended ovaries and eggs up to 0.5 mm in diameter; no embryos were observed. A 5.0 cm SL male paratype had a ripe testes and well developed intromittent organ (Ref. 93007). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 16 August 2019 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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