Ungusurculus philippinensis Schwarzhans & Møller, 2007
Philippines viviparous brotula
Ungusurculus philippinensis
photo by W. Schwarzhans & P. R. Møller

Family:  Dinematichthyidae (Viviparous brotula)
Max. size:  4.8 cm SL (male/unsexed); 5.2 cm SL (female)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 5 - 10 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: Philippines.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 78-87; Anal soft rays: 54-66; Vertebrae: 42-44. This species is distinct with the following characters: D 78-87, A 54-66, D/A 22-27, V in D 2.2-2.4; vertebrae 12-13+29-32=42-44; anterior nostril located 1/4 the distance from upper lip to aggregate distance to anterior margin of eye; free pseudoclaspers 2 pairs, outer pseudoclasper wing-shaped with broad base and distally slightly widened supporter without anterior hook, the inner one moderately long, with widened base, distally with 2 inward directed strong spines; cheeks with 5-6 scale rows on upper part and 3-4 rows on lower; no upper preopercular pore; otolith moderately elongate, its length to height is 2.0-2.1, pointed anterior and posterior tips, short sulcus with ventral indentation at joining of ostium and cauda, partly fused colliculi, its centre anterior to centre of otolith, inclined about 10°, otolith length to sulcus length is 2.0-2.1 (Ref. 76869).
Biology:  Inhabitant of reef crevices, cryptic and solitary (Ref 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 02 March 2017 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans: 


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