Nephropsis ensirostris

Alcock, 1901

Diagnosis:
Rostrum without lateral teeth. Strong post-supraorbital spine behind supraorbital spine. Abdominal somites three to six with median dorsal carina. Anterior margin of pleura of second abdominal somite without spines. Telson without medio-dorsal spine.

Type:
Type locality: "Investigator" Station 177, "Arabian Sea, north of the Laccadives 636 fathoms" [= 13°47'49"N 73°7'E, 1163 m, green mud). Type material, ZSI, no. 3892/10; 2 specimens preserved in alcohol, condition poor, probably are types.

Geographical Distribution:
Indo-West Pacific region: Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, Andaman Sea, Philippines and Indonesia.

Habitat and Biology:
Deep sea from 580 to 1160 m, bottom mud or sandy mud.

Size:
Total length about 6 cm.

Interest to Fisheries:
So far none. The species has been rarely caught, while also the fact that it is rather small and lives in the deep sea makes its commercial value less likely.

%LABEL% (%SOURCE%)