Animalia Life
Mirapinna esau
FAMILY
Mirapinnidae
TAXONOMY
Mirapinna esau Bertelsen and Marshall, 1956, Eastern Atlantic.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
None known.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Size of only specimen 0.16 in (4 cm). Unusual appearance,
head region proportionally small; mouth upturned; pelvic fins
huge, projecting dorsally and located at throat, with 8 rays;
small pectoral fins located more dorsally, with 13 rays; caudal
fin divided into 2 distinct lobes that overlap; single dorsal fin
posteriorly located, with 16 rays; anal fin opposite dorsal fin,
with 14 rays; skin covered in hairlike protuberances; coloration
dark brown.
DISTRIBUTION
Known from a single specimen, caught north of the Azores in
the Eastern Atlantic.
HABITAT
Only known specimen was caught at the surface.
BEHAVIOR
Nothing known.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Copepods were the only food item in the stomach.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Unknown; only known specimen is a juvenile female.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Not listed by IUCN.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
None known.
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