A New Species of the Ophidiid Genus Neobythites (Teleostei: Ophidiiformes) from Tosa Bay, Kochi Prefecture, Japan

摘要

A new ophidiid species, Neobythites machidai, is based on 7 specimens (63.0-93.5 mm SL), collected from Tosa Bay (139-176 m depth), Kochi Prefecture, southern Japan. It is most similar to N. bimarginatus, known from off New Caledonia, by having many pectoral-fin rays (>30), preopercle without spines and black bands in middle part of dorsal and anal fins. However, N. machidai differs from N. bimarginatus by pelvic-fin length 8.5-11.5% SL (vs. 11.5-13.5% SL in the latter species), longest gill filament 6.9-10.0% HL (vs. 4.8-6.3% HL), each side of triangular vomerine tooth patch concave (vs. slightly convex), snout shorter than horizontal eye window (vs. snout longer than eye), and 11-13 (vs. 6-7) light spots on middle part of body. Additionally, they differ in many characters such as number of dorsal-fin rays, pectoral-fin rays and total vertebrae and preanal length.