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Issue: Vol. 5777 No. 3: 19 Mar. 2026
Type: Article
Published: 2026-03-19
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5777.3.8
Page range: 540-554
Abstract views: 33
PDF downloaded: 0

A new dwarf species of Lycenchelys from western Antarctica with supplementary description of L. argentina (Teleostei, Zoarcidae)

Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution; Russian Academy of Sciences; 119071 Moscow; Russia; Shirshov Institute of Oceanology; Russian Academy of Sciences; 117218 Moscow; Russia
Shirshov Institute of Oceanology; Russian Academy of Sciences; 117218 Moscow; Russia
Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution; Russian Academy of Sciences; 119071 Moscow; Russia; Shirshov Institute of Oceanology; Russian Academy of Sciences; 117218 Moscow; Russia; Tomsk State University; 634050 Tomsk; Russia
Pisces eelpout deep-water benthic fish morphology taxonomy Southern ocean

Abstract

Lycenchelys cyanosoma sp. nov. is described from a single specimen collected off the South Orkney Islands at 370–375 m depth. It can be easily distinguished from all known congeners by its lowest total vertebral count (76), dorsal- and anal-fin ray counts (71 and 54, respectively); unusual bluish coloration with blackish head; and the following additional features in combination: body fully scaled except the predorsal area but vertical fins completely scaleless; absence of oral valve, pseudobranchs and pyloric caeca; upper lip with pronounced flange; and periproct surrounded by peculiar tentacle-like processes. The new species is probably the smallest member of the genus, having developed testes at 98 mm standard length. Lycenchelys argentina, a rare and poorly-known species with a variable morphology, is herein redescribed based on a new (fourth known) specimen; we discuss the limits of its morphological variation. Lycenchelys cyanosoma sp. nov. and L. argentina may represent vicariant species with upper and lower bathyal/abyssal range, respectively. The diagnostically valuable features and known distribution of all Antarctic and Subantarctic Lycenchelys species are presented.

 

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How to Cite

Prokofiev, A.M., Kobyliansky, S.G. & Orlov, A.M. (2026) A new dwarf species of Lycenchelys from western Antarctica with supplementary description of L. argentina (Teleostei, Zoarcidae). Zootaxa, 5777 (3), 540–554. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5777.3.8