Symphurus maculopinnis Munroe, Tyler & Tunnicliffe, 2011

Family:  Cynoglossidae (Tonguefishes), subfamily: Symphurinae
Max. size:  8.44 cm SL (female)
Environment:  benthopelagic; marine; depth range - 561 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: Tonga Arc, Volcano-19. Tunnicliffe et al., 2010 (Ref. 88005) indicated that this species was also observed at shallower depths (between 195-381 m) at a second, nearby site (Volcano-1). However, re-examination of photographs indicates that the individuals upon which these observations were based can not be positively identified. Thus, reported occurrences of S. maculopinnis both at Volcano-1 and at these shallower depths is tenuous (Ref. 87974).
Diagnosis:  Symphurus maculopinnis is distinguished from all other species of Symphurus by the combination of a 1–2–2–2–1 ID pattern, 14 caudal-fin rays, 3+6 abdominal vertebrae, 49 total vertebrae, about 89 scales in a longitudinal row, 92 dorsal-fin rays, 77 anal-fin rays, a blunt squarish snout, blind-side lower jaw with thick lip with conspicuous plicae, and by conspicuous ocellated (sometimes partially) black spots on the posterior dorsal and anal fins (Ref. 87974).
Biology:  Known only from the holotype, collected on soft sediments at 561 m; 56 other individuals observed, but not collected, were found on a variety of substrata, including coarse gravel, gravelly sand-shell and gravelly sand, located between 433-561 m on Volcano-19, Tonga Arc, western Pacific. Considered to be a true vent species since (Ref. 87974).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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