Ungusurculus williamsi Schwarzhans & Møller, 2007
Williams' viviparous brotula
Ungusurculus williamsi
photo by W. Schwarzhans & P. R. Møller

Family:  Dinematichthyidae (Viviparous brotula)
Max. size:  4.5 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 0 - 4 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: Philippines.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 79-85; Anal soft rays: 59-63; Vertebrae: 42-43. This species is distinguished by the following characters: D 79-85, A 59-63, D/A 24-26, V in D 2.2-2.4; vertebrae 12+30-31=42-43; 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 widened supporter without anterior hook, while the inner pseudoclasper is short, half the length of outer one, with slightly broadened base, distally with two inwardly directed weak spines; cheeks with 4-6 scale rows on upper part and 3 rows on lower part; no upper preopercular pore; otolith compressed, its length to height is 1.9-2.1, pointed anterior and posterior tips, the latter expanded, projecting sharp postdorsal angle, short sulcus, wide with fused colliculi, its centre slightly anterior of centre of otolith, inclined about 10°, otolith length to sulcus length is 2.2-2.4 (Ref. 76869).
Biology:  Based on collection site, this species is probably adapted to non-reef related rocky inshore environments (Ref. 76869). Cryptic and solitary, inhabitant of reef crevices and caves about 0-4 m (Ref 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 02 March 2017 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans: 


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