Himantolophus multifurcatus Bertelsen & Krefft, 1988

Family:  Himantolophidae (Footballfishes)
Max. size:  12.2 cm SL (female)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 200 - 365 m
Distribution:  Eastern Central Atlantic: 4°11'N, 24°37'W (type locality) (Ref. 46206).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 5-5; Anal soft rays: 4-4. Distinguishing characteristics of metamorphosed female: length of illicium 50-69% SL; proximal part of distal escal appendage undivided 18-32%SL, each primary branch with 2-3 bifurcations, unpigmented, 34-52% SL in total length; unpigmented posterior escal appendage, 5.6-7.0% SL; posterolateral appendages on stem of illicium 0-4, longest pair is distal most 0-402% SL; escal bulb and appendages of large specimens with small scattered dermal spinules (Ref. 86949).
Biology:  Males unknown (Ref. 57659).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 17 July 2014 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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