Classification / Names
Common names | Synonyms | Catalog of Fishes(genus, species) | ITIS | CoL | WoRMS | Cloffa
Teleostei (teleosts) >
Ophidiiformes (Cusk eels) >
Bythitidae (Livebearing brotulas)
Etymology: merretti: Named for Dr Nigel R. Merrett, Thorncombe, Chard, U.K. (previous the Natural History Museum)..
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; bathypelagic; depth range 4453 - 4540 m (Ref. 105129). Deep-water
Eastern Central Atlantic: off NW Africa.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 8.5 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 105129); 12.5 cm SL (female)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Dorsal soft rays (total): 67 - 70; Anal soft rays: 49 - 52; Vertebrae: 64 - 65. This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: long rakers on first gill arch 14-16; D 67-70; precaudal vertebrae 29-30, total vertebra 64-65; height of head 21.0-23.0 % SL and origin of dorsal fin above vertebra no. 22 (Ref. 105129).
Only three specimens were caught in bottom fishing gear at abyssal depths. The stomach of the holotype contained unidentifiable remains of crustaceans. Viviparous with the presence of 6 mm long embryos (Ref. 105129).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturities | Reproduction | Spawnings | Egg(s) | Fecundities | Larvae
Nielsen, J.G., 2015. Revision of the aphyonid genus Aphyonus (Teleostei: Ophidiiformes) with a new genus and two new species. Zootaxa 4039(2):323-344. (Ref. 105129)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
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Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = No PD50 data [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 3.4 ±0.5 se; based on size and trophs of closest relatives
Resilience (Ref.
120179): High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (10 of 100).