Ophichthus brevidorsalis Chiu & Hibino, 2019
Short dorsal-fin snake eel

Family:  Ophichthidae (Snake eels), subfamily: Ophichthinae
Max. size:  39.8 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 412 - 467 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: New Caledonia.
Diagnosis:  Vertebrae: 164-164. This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: head 9.5% TL; tail 59.8% TL; pointed snout, 19.4% HL; large eye, 86.9% of snout length and 16.9% HL; dorsal-fin origin is well behind pectoral-fin tip by more than five times pectoral-fin length; teeth on jaws are biserial (single row posteriorly); anterior margin of anus no dark markings; SO 1+3; POM 6+2; predorsal vertebrae 43, preanal vertebrae 61, and total vertebrae 164 (Ref. 121619).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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