Two new moray eels of genera diaphenchelys and gymnothorax (anguilliformes: muraenidae) from Taiwan and the Philippines
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
5-31-2021
Abstract
Two new moray eels of the genera Diaphenchelys and Gymnothorax from Taiwan and the Philippines are described. Diaphenchelys laimospila sp. nov. is described based on two specimens that represent the third species and a new geographic record of the genus. It can be distinguished from the other two congeners by the number of cephalic sensory pores, vertebral formula, morphometric measurements, and the coloration pattern. Gymnothorax pseudokidako sp. nov. is a muraenid with a dark brown body covered by pale snowflake-like blotches. It differs from the most similar species Gymnothorax kidako (Temminck and Schlegel) by having a relatively short tail (50.5-53.0% vs. 52.9-56.4% of TL), more dentary teeth (17-26 vs. 16-20), fewer total vertebrae (134-139 vs. 137-143), and the absence of white margin on anal fin (vs. prominent white margin). These two new species were also confirmed by molecular analyses, the mitochondrial COI gene (593 bp) for D. laimospila, and the nuclear EGR3 gene (767 bp) for G. pseudokidako.
Keywords
Elopomorpha, Muraeninae, Muraenoidei, New species, Western Pacific
Divisions
Science
Funders
Ministry of Science and Technology[108-2611M-110-004],Top 100 Universities in the World Fund[TU001-2018]
Publication Title
Zoological Studies
Volume
60
Publisher
Biodiversity Research Center, Acad Sinica
Publisher Location
128 ACADEMIA RODA, SECTION 2, NANKANG, TAIPEI, 11529, TAIWAN