Evoxymetopon moricheni Fricke, Golani & Appelbaum-Golani, 2014
photo by Golani, D.

Family:  Trichiuridae (Cutlassfishes), subfamily: Lepidopodinae
Max. size:  83 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; marine
Distribution:  Indian Ocean: Red Sea.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): -83; Vertebrae: 88-88. This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: convex upper head profile; the posterior confluence of frontal ridges slightly elevated at the nape that a slight sagittal crest is seen; crescent-shaped nostril; eye 5.2 times in HL; lower hind margin of the opercle is slightly pointed in its lower half; pelvic fins, reduced to scale-like structure, soft rays 2 on the posterior process of the basipterygium, its origin below the eighth dorsal-fin element; first anal spine single, oval, scale like, and originating a short distance behind the vent (opposite the 34th dorsal-fin soft ray); externally visible around 17 anal-fin rays; approximately 83 dorsal-fin elements, with first spine not elongated and shorter than second; pectoral-fin rays 12 (ii + 6 + iv), with shorter anterior (fourth ray shortest) and longer posterior rays extending above the lateral line; upper gill rakers of the first arch 9; vent located at about 49 % TL; total vertebrae 88; horizontal distance between posterior margin of the eye and origin of the first dorsal-fin spine very short (2 % HL); PL 51.1 % TL; HL 29.7 % PL; upper jaw length 11.6 % PL; predorsal length 20.3 % PL; head and body silver white, with a blackish margin anteriorly on the snout and head, continuing along the anterior half of the dorsal-fin base (Ref. 95272).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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