Melanocetus rossi Balushkin & Fedorov, 1981

Family:  Melanocetidae (Black Seadevils)
Max. size:  11.8 cm SL (female)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range - 420 m
Distribution:  Southern Ocean: Known only from the Ross Sea.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 14-14; Anal soft rays: 5-5. Distinguishing characteristics of female: nearly straight anterior margin of vomer; least outside width between frontals 16.9% SL; upper jaw with 33 teeth, lower jaw with 48 teeth; vomerine teeth 6; length of longest tooth in lower jaw 8.6% SL; width of pectoral fin lobe 10.4% SL; width of escal bulb 3.7% SL; illicium length 29.2% SL; esca with medial crest, absence of anterior and posterior escal crests; relatively thick integument (Ref. 86949).
Biology:  Only specimen was collected at 390 m depth.
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 11 October 2018 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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