Porogadus atripectus Garman, 1899

Family:  Ophidiidae (Cusk-eels), subfamily: Neobythitinae
Max. size:  27.7 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 1800 - 4000 m
Distribution:  Eastern Central Pacific.
Diagnosis:  This species is distinguished by the following characters: precaudal vertebrae 17-18; long gill rakers on first gill arch 15-18; HL:HD 1.6-1.8 (rarely 1.52-1.6); head spines strong on ethmoidal, sphenotic, outer posttemporal, inner preopercular rim, weak on lacrimal, prefrontal, interorbital, 5th infraorbital, and absent on supraorbital, supratemporal, and outer preopercular rim; opercular spine flat and weak; lower lateral line pores until beginning of anal fin 17-20; vomer with broad dentition patch (2-4 rows); palatines with broad dentition patch (5-7 rows); otolith with single colliculum and step at collum; OL:OH = 1.45-1.65 (Ref. 125143).
Biology:  Rare species (Ref. 34024). This species is caught mostly between 1800 and 4000 m, rarely up to 1200 m on the lower reaches or the base of the continental slopes. Apparently, it does not appear to venture away from the slope for more than about 500 km (Ref. 125143). Reproductive strategy possibly similar to other members of this family featuring oviparity, with oval pelagic eggs floating in a gelatinous mass (Ref. 205).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 16 August 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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