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Type: Article
Published: 2015-12-24
Page range: 41–48
Abstract views: 45
PDF downloaded: 27

A new genus and species of worm eels, Sympenchelys taiwanensis (Anguilliformes: Ophichthidae: Myrophinae), from the northwestern Pacific Ocean

Fisheries Research Laboratory, Mie University, 4190-172 Wagu, Shima-cho, Shima, Mie 517-0703, Japan.
National Museum of Marine Biology & Aquarium, Checheng, Pingtung, 944, Taiwan. Institute of Marine Biology, National Dong Hwa University, Checheng, Pingtung, 944, Taiwan
Fisheries Research Laboratory, Mie University, 4190-172 Wagu, Shima-cho, Shima, Mie 517-0703, Japan.
Pisces Ophichthidae new genus new species Taiwan Japan

Abstract

A new genus and species of ophichthid eel, Sympenchelys taiwanensis is described. The genus is distinguishable from all other myrophine genera by having neural and haemal spines with well-developed paddle-like tips, and from two closely similar genera, Mureaenichthys Bleeker 1853 and Skythrenchelys Castle & McCosker 1999, by the following combination of characters: an unconstricted gill opening; a minute flap just posterior to the gill opening; a slender cleithrum; three preopercular pores; a slender and distinctly tapered maxilla; an undeveloped supraoccipital crest; and large and recurved teeth on jaws and vomer. Sympenchelys taiwanensis is described from five specimens collected from Taiwan, the northwestern Pacific Ocean.