Dibranchus japonicus Amaoka & Toyoshima, 1981
Japanese seabat
photo by Shao, K.T.

Family:  Ogcocephalidae (Batfishes)
Max. size:  15.45 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 620 - 1494 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: Japan and Australia (Ref. 7300). Reported from South Africa (Ref. 50473).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 56; Anal soft rays: 4-4; Vertebrae: 18-19. Relatively short skull, length 24.2% of SL versus up to at least 26% in other species. Extremely thick and leathery skin, studded with small tubercles over entire body. Principal tubercles of ventral surface of tail very stout but relatively short. Fin-rays without tubercles. Pectoral and pelvic fins both relatively short, broad, the covering skin extremely fleshy, with thick membranes. Cephalic lateral-line counts: subopercular 5; preopercular 2. Tail lateral-line counts 11 (Ref. 40826).
Biology:  A benthic species found on the continental slope (Ref. 75154).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 13 August 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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