Himantolophus litoceras Stewart & Pietsch, 2010

Family:  Himantolophidae (Footballfishes)
Max. size:  27.6 cm SL (female)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range - 654 m
Distribution:  Southwest Pacific: New Zealand; expected to occur in the Tasman Sea.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 5-5; Anal soft rays: 4-4. This species' metamorphosed females are distinct from other species of the H. cornifer group in having a pair of simple distal escal appendages, each without any trace of lateral appendages or filaments; further diagnosed by the following: illicium length 31.1% SL (28.2% preserved); escal bulb width 11.9% (10.5% preserved); no filaments in illicium and esca; tiny, close-set dermal spinules cover the illicium, esca and proximal one-half of distal escal appendage (this appendage is darkly pigmented, tip of intact filament silvery white in freshly thawed specimens) (Ref. 85522).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 11 October 2018 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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