Himantolophus paucifilosus Bertelsen & Krefft, 1988

Family:  Himantolophidae (Footballfishes)
Max. size: 
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 100 - 1540 m
Distribution:  Eastern Central Atlantic: 10°46'N, 23°54'W (type locality).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 5-5; Anal soft rays: 4-4. Distinguishing characteristics of metamorphosed female: absent or rudimentary anterior escal appendage, length less than 1% SL; distal escal appendage 0.4-2.6 in SL in specimens 3.2-12.5 cm, 4.3% in 16.3 cm specimen; blunt distal escal lobes; posterior escal appendage 1.5-10% SL, undivided proximally, simple or divided into 2-3 branches distally; 1-2 pairs of posterolateral appendages situated on or near base of escal bulb, simple or bifurcated distal-most and longest pair, length 5.6-13% SL (Ref. 86949).
Biology:  Specimens caught in bottom trawls at depths of 600 to 1540 m (Ref. 86949).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 09 May 2013 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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