Paraliparis variabilidens Murasaki, Takami & Fukui, 2019
Variable-toothed snailfish
photo by Murasaki, K.

Family:  Liparidae (Snailfishes)
Max. size:  5.2 cm SL (female)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 1462 - 1562 m
Distribution:  Northwest Pacific: Japan.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 62-62; Anal soft rays: 57-57; Vertebrae: 67-67. This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: total vertebrae 67; dorsal-fin rays 62; anal-fin rays 57; pectoral-fin rays 26 or 27; caudal-fin rays 9 (including 2 procurrent rays); pyloric caeca ca. 12; both jaws with mixed simple and trilobate teeth; eye diameter 18.1% HL; the gill slit extending ventrally in front of 2nd pectoral-fin ray base; deeply notched pectoral fin. Colour of body dusky, peritoneum black and stomach pale (Ref. 120238).
Biology:  Ovary pouch-like, translucent whitish, with unripe ovarian eggs (0.20 mm in maximum diameter) (Ref. 120238).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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