Pteropsaron springeri Smith & Johnson, 2007
Springer's sand-diver
Pteropsaron springeri
photo by Ryanskiy, A.

Family:  Hemerocoetidae (Indo-Pacific duckbills)
Max. size:  2.75 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 18 - 73 m
Distribution:  Western Central Pacific: Indonesia and the Philippines; probably including Palau.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 3-3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 20-23; Anal soft rays: 20-25; Vertebrae: 35-36. This species differs from other species of the Pteropsaron/Osopsaron complex in having only 3 dorsal spines which are displaced anteriorly to lie over the posterior end of the skull, and associated modification of the anteriormost 3 pterygiophores and neural spines; D III, 20-23; A 24-25; vertebrae 35-36 (Ref. 75753).
Biology:  Usually found in sloping sand bottoms to 73 m (Ref. 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 13 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans: 
Country info:  Type locality: Negros Island, E of Bais, USNM 367912 (holotype of Pteropsaron springeri, 2.75 cm SL, male) (Ref. 75753). Also known from Caban and Luzon (Ref. 90102) and collected from northeast of Lubang Island (Ref. 95663) and Dauin-Apo Is. at 25 m, often with Grallenia rubrilineata (Ref. 127519).


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