Astronesthes zharovi Parin & Borodulina, 1998

Family:  Stomiidae (Barbeled dragonfishes), subfamily: Astronesthinae
Max. size:  11 cm SL (female)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range - 600 m
Distribution:  Atlantic Ocean: known only between the eastern part of the Gulf of Mexico (27°N, 86°W) and southern Angola (17°S, 10°E).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-13; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 11-13; Vertebrae: 45-46. Chin barbel half as long as the head and bears a small explanate bulb lacking appendages. Base of anal fin significantly behind the vertical of the dorsal fin end. Postorbital organ large and angled at 20°-30° with respect to the longitudinal body axis. It extends behind the vertical of the back side of the orbit and is covered from above with a pigmented fold of skin. Bunch-like aggregation of luminous spots proceeds down and to the rear from the back tip of the postorbital organ. Numerous spots of luminous tissue on head, the gill cover, back of the head, around the chin area, on the jaws, as well as on the front side of the body, behind the head, and above and below the lateral row of photophores. Serial photophores are not large and form no clear bends or steps (Ref. 30704).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 11 October 2018 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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