Image of Digitate cusk eel

Description:

Description: This is definitely the ophidioid Dicrolene. The elongate free pelvic rays directed forward are characteristic of this taxon, and the large eye and white lateral line pores help. The full ID is probably D. intronigra, common between 800-1800 m both sides of the Atlantic at tropical latitudes. There are about 10 nominal species, but probably only about 4-5 are valid. A key characteristic is the short sharp preopercular spine. In D. intronigra, it is short, straight, and not visible in photos. In the next most likely possibility, D. kanazawai, the spine is longer, curved upward, white, and would be visible in a photo of the present quality.
Item Type: Image
Title: Digitate cusk eel (Dicrolene intronigra)
Copyright: Serpent Project
Species: Dicrolene introniger
Behaviour: Swimming
Site: Atlantic -- Northern Tropical Atlantic -- Tiof
Site Description: Seafloor
Depth (m): 1500
Latitude: 17 deg 30' 00" N
Longitude: 17 deg 15' 00" W
Countries: West Africa -- Mauritania
Habitat: Tropical Sand
Rig: Boa Deep Sea
Project Partners: Boa, Woodside, Oceaneering
ROV: Millenium
Deposited By: Rob Curry
Deposited On: 13 March 2007