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Issue: Vol. 4454 No. 1: 31 Jul. 2018
Type: Article
Published: 2018-07-31
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4454.1.8
Page range: 68–77
Abstract views: 82
PDF downloaded: 74

A new cutthroat eel of the genus Synaphobranchus (Anguilliformes: Synaphobranchidae) from Taiwan

National Museum of Marine Biology & Aquarium, Pingtung Taiwan Institute of Marine Biology, National Dong Hwa University, Pingtung, Taiwan
Department of Aquaculture, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, Taiwan
Department of Aquaculture, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, Taiwan Center of Excellence for the Oceans, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, Taiwan
Pisces taxonomy Synaphobranchidae Synaphobranchus oligolepis new species

Abstract

A new species of the cutthroat eel genus Synaphobranchus is described from Taiwan on the basis of 12 types and 11 non-type specimens. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners in having most of its head and abdomen naked, except for a patch of scales behind the eye, dorsal surface of trunk naked or covered by scattered scales; scales oval in shape; dorsal fin slightly before to about opposite to origin of anal fin; mean vertebral formula 28-28-131, precaudal vertebrae 50–56, total vertebrae 124–135. Comments of the congeners occurred in adjacent regions are provided.

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