| Family: |
Myxinidae (Hagfishes), subfamily: Eptatretinae |
| Max. size: |
31.4 cm (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
bathydemersal; marine; depth range 2100 - 2300 m |
| Distribution: |
South eastern Pacific: East Pacific Rise vent site. Possible wider distribution 30° northward and depth range down to 2900m if the individuals filmed at Grommit, Oasis, and Yaquina vent sites are the same species. |
| Diagnosis: |
Slender body than other species, depth 2.9% TL (at pharyngocutaneous duct); paired and median ventral nasal sinus papillae both present, and 10 afferent branchial arteries
on the medial ventral aorta; slime pores: 18 prebranchial, 12 branchial, 70 trunk, 19 caudal, total 119; 12 gill pouches and apertures; pharyngocutaneous duct widely separated from the opening of posterior left gill apertures; 3 multicusps in anterior row and 2 in posterior row,
total cusps 46; paired dorsal nasal sinus papillae; eyespot absent; body coloration pink. |
| Biology: |
First record of a myxine record in a hydrothermal vent. Fourth record of a myxine species below 2000m (Ref. 74406). Known from one specimen only, the holotype (in 2007). Possibly, individuals filmed at Grommit, Oasis, and Yaquina vent sites pertain to the same species (Ref. 74406). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 11 November 2009 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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