Short Nosed Swallower

This species is distinguished from its congeners K. falx by the teeth in lateral series of premaxilla 7-11, caniniform, elongated, slightly curved, type 4, widely spaced (vs. teeth in lateral series of premaxilla 13-33; recurved, with ventral attachment, closely spaced in K. parri; needle-like, closely spaced in K. kerberti and K. macrodon and anterior part fourth of K. normani; caniniform but not very elongated in K. colubrina); first tooth of lateral series of premaxilla longest, with tight type 4 attachment (vs. first tooth of lateral series of premaxilla not remarkably enlarged, smaller than adjacent teeth, with loose types 4 attachment or with ventral attachment to bone); teeth in mesial series of premaxilla 3, fang-like (vs. 4 or 15; not fang-like in K. macrura, K. parri, K. colubrina); teeth in lateral series of dentary 6-8, very elongated, curved, type 4, widely spaced (vs. 12-32; recurved, with ventral attachment, closely spaced in K. parri, needle-like, closely spaced in K. kerberti and K. macrodon and anterior part fourth of K. normani; recurved in K. colubrina). This species can be further distinguished from K. falx by the larger eye, orbit width 15.4-22.7% and orbit height 12.5-18% in head length (vs. eye small, orbit width 11.2-16.0% and orbit height 9.7-12.4% in head length); basihyal elongated and straight, pointing forward (vs. basihyal reduced, strongly curved, pointing ventrally); first tooth in lateral series of premaxilla enlarged, 15.2-16.4 % in premaxillary length, slightly curved, not projecting anteriorly (vs. first tooth remarkably enlarged, 17.2-20.5% in premaxillary length, sickle-shaped, projecting anteriorly); first tooth in mesial series of premaxilla anterior to level of anterior nostril, and to second tooth of lateral series (vs. first tooth below level of anterior nostril, and beside second tooth of lateral series); first tooth in mesial series of dentary beside second tooth of lateral series (vs. first tooth between second and third teeth in lateral series) (Ref. 75596).

Dorsal spines (total): 114; Dorsal soft rays (total): 21 - 25; Analspines: 1; Analsoft rays: 22 - 26

The shallowest depth record is based on a single Gargaropteron-staged individual which was taken in the Yucatan Channel, in 0-124 m (Museum: RHB 1290).

fisheries: of no interest

Caribbean to off Bear Seamount

nektonic