Tempestichthys bettyae Goatley & Tornabene, 2022
Betty's ocean sleeper

Family:  Thalasseleotrididae (Ocean sleepers)
Max. size:  1.24 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine
Distribution:  Western Pacific: Coral Sea, Australia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-8; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 7-7. This species is distinguished by the following: branchiostegal rays 6; fifth ceratobranchials lack ventral processes; dorsal hemitrichs of the pelvic-fin rays have simple proximal heads; pelvic fins are completely separate, with no anterior frenum or membrane connecting the innermost rays; pectoral fin rays 16; D VI + I,8; A, I,7; ossified but very reduced scapula; scales have a single row of cteni along the scale margins; bony canal support on the preoperculum is extremely reduced; with an interneural gap between the last pterygiophore of the first dorsal fin and the first pterygiophore of the second dorsal fin; epural one; lacks a dorsal postcleithrum; urohyal lacks a ventral shelf; interhyal with disc-shaped lateral structure for articulation with the preoperculum; palatine is close to T-shaped, with a robust ethmoid process, 87% the length of maxillary process; tightly spaced, villiform teeth in multiple rows; premaxilla with two tooth rows to the posterior, increasing to five rows at the anterior; primarily transparent white, with opaque white and crimson red markings; broadly fusiform in shape, with a pointed snout and a laterally compressed head. (Ref, 130190).
Biology:  The 4 m2 clove oil station was deployed over a reef outcrop surrounded by sand at a depth of 11 m. Enclosed microhabitats included heavily sedimented reef matrix, live branching and massive corals, Halimeda, sand, and overhangs/crevices (Ref. 130190).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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