BULLETIN OF MARINE SCIENCE, 27(3); 53()'-543,1977

EIGHT NEW SPECIES AND A NEW GENUS OF CONGRID EELS FROM THE WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC WITH REDESCRIPTIONS OF ARIOSOMA ANALIS, HILDEBRANDIA GUPPYI, AND RHECHIAS VIC/NALlS

David G. Smith and Robert H. Kanazawa

ABSTRACT Eight new species of eels belonging to the family Congridae are described, based largely on material collected over the past 25 years by research vessels of the National Marine Fisheries Service and the University of Miami in the western North Atlantic. Parabathymyrus oregoni n. sp. extends the range of the genus from the western Pacific to the western Atlantic. Ariosoma coquettei n. sp. is described from the coast of the Guianas, South America. Three new species of Gnathophis Kaup, are described from the Gulf of Mexico, the Straits of Florida, and the coast of Georgia and South Carolina: G. bracheatopos, G. bathytopos, and G. tritos. The genus has not been known previously from the western Atlantic. Two new species of Rhechias Jordan are described, R. bu/lisi and R. polypora. It is explained that Rhechias is a senior synonym of Congrina Jordan and Hubbs. Japonoconger caribbeus n. sp. represents the second species of that genus, which was previously known from Japan. Conger analis Poey is redescribed and placed in Ariosoma. An apparently identical form occurs off tropical West Africa. Congromuraena guppyi Norman is shown to belong in the genus Hildebrandia Jordan and Evermann, and becomes the third species of the genus in the western Atlantic. The problem of the identification of the type of guppyi with one of the three species of Hildebrandia is discussed. Uroconger vicinalis Garman is rede- scribed and assigned to Rhechias. The genus Lemkea Kotthaus is synonymized with Gnathophis Kaup. A new genus, Acromycter, is established to house Ariosoma perturbator Parr, Promyl- lantor alcocki Gilbert and Cramer, and Promyllantor nezumi Asano. A. perturbator is designated as the type species. It is pointed out that Promyllantor sehmilli Hildebrand is a synonym of Pseudophichthys latedorsalis Roule.

The past 25 years have seen a great in- of additional material and are assigned to crease in our knowledge of the offshore their proper genera. In addition, we erect shelf and upper slope fishes of the tropical a new genus to contain Ariosoma perturba- western Atlantic. Exploratory fishing by re- tor Parr and two closely related species search vessels of the National Marine Fish- which do not fit into any of the recognized eries Service, especially the OREGONand genera of congrid eels. SILVERBAY, and by the University of Mi- ami's GERDA and PILLSBURYhave added METHODSANDMATERIALS many previously undescribed species to the faunal list. The eels of the family Congridae Preanal length is measured from the tip are a good example of this. Of the approxi- of the snout to the posterior margin of the mately 30 species known to occur in this anus. Head length is measured from the tip area, between a quarter and a third of them of the snout to the upper comer of the pec- are undescribed. toral-fin base. Eye diameter is measured In this paper we describe eight new spe- horizontally across the clear "spectacle" cov- cies of congrid eels. Three other poorly ering the eye socket. The gill aperture is known species are redescribed on the basis measured from corner to corner. Inter- 530 SMITH AND KANAZAWA: EELS OF THE FAMILY CONGRIDAE 531

50~------:-----:--~5r;------present in all congrid eels. In addition, some

lL species have a fourth pore anterior to the c-:: 0, posterior nostril, a fifth pore near the an- .,\' ~"O '" n""--"-...... - terior margin of the eye, and a sixth pore " near the posterior part of the eye. The latter two will be referred to as interorbital pores. POM The supratemporal commissure (ST) can Figure 1. Diagrammatic view of sensory pores have from zero to five pores. and canals on the head of a congrid eel. Myorhabdoi, as termed by Asano (1962), are the intermuscular bones located above branchial distance is measured across the the epineurals and below the epipleurals. isthmus between the lower corners of the They are present only in Bathymyrus, Para- gill opening. Body depth is measured at the bathymyrus, and some species of Ariosoma. anus. The number of lateral-line (LL) pores The frequency of damaged and regener- given are those anterior to a vertical line ated tails in some species makes it necessary drawn through the anterior edge of the anus. to express proportional measurements in per- TotaL vertebrae include the hypura1. The cent of preanal length rather than total number in parentheses following the verte- length. braLnumber shows how many specimens had The following abbreviations are used for that particular count. the various museums. ANSP: Academy of Figure 1 shows a diagrammatic view of the Natural Sciences of Philadelphia; MCZ: arrangement of sensory canals and pores on Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard the head of congrid eels. The preoperculo- University; RMNH: Rijksmuseum van Na- mandibular (POM) canal usually contains tuurlijke Historie, Leiden; UMML: Rosen- 10 or 11 pores. Of these, six are usually stieL School of Marine and Atmospheric found anterior to the rictus. The infraorbital Science, University of Miami; USNM: (IO) canal always contains four pores along United States National Museum of Natural the upper jaw, and another one in line with History; MBI: Marine Biomedical Institute. these but behind the rictus. In addition, some species have two or three pores in the Genus Parabathymyrus Kamohara section of the infraorbital canal that comes Kamohara (1938) established this genus up behind the eye. These will be referred to to contain a new species, P. macrophthal- as postorbital pores. The genera Conger and mus, from Taiwan. Parabathymyrus was Paraconger also have an extra pore at the originally distinguished from Bathymyrus Al- anterior-most extremity of the canal, near its cock by the fact that the premaxillary teeth junction with the supraorbital canal. In this did not extend out to form a prominent ex- paper we express the infraorbital pores as tra-oral patch on the tip of the wout. Since the number along the upper jaw plus the then, however, other species of Bathymyrus number behind the rictus plus the number in have been discovered and this character now the postorbital section, for example "4 1 + appears to form a graded series among the + 3." For taxonomic purposes, we include species of the two genera. The only remain- the two pores on the underside of the an- ing character that separates them seems to terior extremity of the snout in the supraor- bitaL (SO) canal, although the first one prop- be the nature of the posterior nostril, cov- erly belongs to a separate ethmoidal canal ered by a flap in Parabathymyrus and ex- and the second one appears to belong jointly posed in Bathymyrus. Although this seems a to the ethmoidal and supraorbital canals trivial character upon which to separate (Allis, 1903). The first three pores in what genera, we refrain from synonymizing them we are calling the supraorbital series are without further study. 532 BULLETIN OF MARINE SCIENCE, VOL. 27, NO.3, 1977

In addition to the type species and the new species described below, we have de- ~~"'" ~ . termined that Arisoma [sic] brachyrhynchus ~ C,- . Fowler, 1934 is also a species of Parabathy- myrus. CS;.~~- ~.~..~.. :.~~ . Pllrllbathymyrus oregoni new species Figure 2 Figure 2. Parabathymyrus oregoni n. sp., 252 mm Material eXlImined.-Holotype: USNM 158900 TL. ANSP 126974. (female, 322 mm TL), OREGON 2022, 7°15'N, 53°25'W, 115 fm (210 m), 9 November 1957. Paratypes: USNM 158883 (3 :290-307), same data as holotype. USNM 158898 (4:274-330), OREGON 11, 10, 4 + 1 + 0, SO 4, ST O. Total verte- 2021, 7°18/N, 53°32'W, 100 fm (183 m), 8 No- brae 149. vember 1957. USNM 158899 (1:261), OREGON 1987, 9°36'N, 59°44'W, 80 fm (146 m), 4 Novem- Diagnosis.-Parabathymyrus oregoni has ber 1957. USNM 190466 (1:280), OREGON2656, more lateral-line pores than P. macrophthal- 18°26.5'N, 67°12'W, 200 fm (366 m), 6 October 1959. ANSP 126974 (1:252, illustrated), PILLS- mus Kamohara (39) and fewer than P. BURY 783, 11°20'N, 73°48.5'W, to 11°22'N, 73° brachyrhynchus (Fowler) (50-52). It has 44'W, 78-95 fm (143-174 m), 31 July 1968. ANSP 134335 (1:214), same data as ANSP more vertebrae than macrophthalmus (133) 126974. UMML 22298 (2:115-153), PILLSBURY and fewer than brachyrhynchus (166-168). 403, 8°48.7'N, 77° 12.7/W to 8°47.6'N, 77°14.2'W, P. oregoni has a single row of lateral teeth in 53-54 fm (97-99 m), 17 July 1966. UMML 29594 (3: 111-156), PILLSBURY425, 9°38.9'N, 79°15.3/W the upper jaw whereas the other species have to 9°40.2'N, 79°17.4'W, 35-38 fm (64-70 m), 19 two. July 1966. UMML 29600 (1:241), PILLSBURY838, 10032'N, 60023'W, 93-115 m, 30 June 1969. Distribution.- The southern Gulf of Mexico, UMML 29603 (2: 168-250), PILLSBURY 671, Caribbean and south to Surinam in 58- 7°07'N, 55°08'W to 7°07'N, 55°05'W, 35 fm (64 m), 11 July 1968. UMML 29697 (1:289), 366 m. PILLSBURY 617, 15°47.2'N, 88°12.6'W to 15° 45.2'N, 88°11.2'W, 58-65 fm (106-119 m), 19 Etymology.-Named for the National Ma- March 1968. RMNH 27394 (1 :257) 7°22.7'N, rine Fisheries Service Research Vessel ORE- 56°38'W, 4 April 1969. MBl sta. 59 (1:268), 18°50'N, 93°43'W to 18°50.8'N, 93°35.2'W, 158- GON. 170 m, 12 November 1975. Description.-Preanal 41-45% TL; predor- Genus Ariosoma Swainson, 1838 sal 17-19% TL; head 17-19% TL; snout Two common species of this genus have 17-19% head; eye 15-20% head; interor- have been known in the western North At- bital 15-17% head; snout-rictus 29-34% lantic. head; gill opening 12-16% head; inter- Ariosoma balearicum (Delaroche) differs branchial 14-25% head; depth 5-8% TL; from alI the others in the area by having pectoral fin 6-7% TL, 34-39% head; caudal three supratemporal pores, six supraorbital fin 2-3% TL. Pores: LL 45-48; POM lO- pores and three postorbital pores. It also ll, 10 4 + 1 + 0, SO 4, ST O. Total verte- has fewer vertebrae (121-133) and lacks myorhabdoi. Smith (1971) showed that the brae 149 (1), ]50 (2), ]51 (5), ]52 (2). western Atlantic form, known as A. impressa Pectoral rays 13-15. (Poey), does not differ sufficiently from the Holotype (measurements in mm).-TL 322, eastern Atlantic form to merit specific dis- preanal 141, predorsal 56, head 58.5, snout tinction. 9.4, eye 8.9, snout-rictus 17.1, gill opening Ariosoma selenops Reid differs from the 7.6, interbranchial 12.0, depth 20, pectoral other western Atlantic species by the large fin 20, caudal fin 6.5. Pores LL 46, POM gilI opening, distinctly greater than the inter- SMITH AND KANAZAWA: EELS OF THE FAMILY CONGRIDAE 533

Diagnosis.-This species is distinguished by the relatively posterior position of the anus, near mid-body. It lacks postorbital pores. Remarks.-A form nearly indistinguishable from this species occurs off West Africa. Three specimens (USNM 200318 and 1 om 200321, and UMML 16431) had the fol- Figure 3. Ariosoma al/alis (Poey), 228 mm TL. lowing counts and measurements: preanal ANSP 134334. 49-52% TL, predorsal 21% TL, head 21% TL, LL pores 57-59, POM pores 10-11, 10 pores 4 + 1 + 0, SO pores 4, ST pores branchial distance. It also lives in deeper 0, total vertebrae 146, 148, and 150. water than the others (ca. 200-600 m). We add here a new species and redescribe Distribution.-Cuba, the Florida Keys, and Ariosoma analis (Poey). the northern Coast of South America, 11- 46 m. Also, apparently, tropical West Af- Ariosoma analis (Poey), 1858 rica. Figure 3 Ariosoma coquettei new species Conger analis Poey, 1858:318. Cuba Figure 4 Material examined.-Holotype: MCZ 9325, Cuba. Others: UMML 28783 (1: 191), PILLSBURY792, Material examil/ed.-Holotype ANSP 134203 10050'N, 75°22'W to 10049.9'N, 75°23.6'W, 6-7 (male: 233), PILLSBURY 658, 7°10'N, 53°36'W, fm (11-13 m), 30 July 1968. ANSP 134334 69-74 fm (126-135 m), 9 July 1968. Paratypes: (l:228, illustrated), PILLSBURY 442, 8°49.6'N, USNM 158917 (1:185), COQUETTE332, 6°50'N, 81°13'W, 10 fm (18 m), 21 July 1966. UMML 55°24'W, 29 fm (53 m), 20 July 1957. RMNH 29605 (1:127), same data as ANSP 134334. 27391 (2: 173-261), 7°11.3'N, 54°23'W, 81 m, 10 UMML 31018 (1:330), SILVER BAY 2410, 24° April 1969. RMNH 27428 (2:283-284), 7°1O.7'N, 34'N, 81°41'W, 30 fm (55 m), 28 October 1960. 54°04'W, 90-100 m, 15 April 1969. UMML 32623 (1:301), OREGON 14450-14451, 6°38'N, 53°58'W, 25 fm (46 m), 2 February 1974. Description.-Preanal 43-45% TL; predor- Description.-Preanal 49-52% TL; predor- sal 16-18% TL; head 17-19% TL; snout sal 18-21% TL; head 18-21% TL; snout 20-24% head; eye 20-23% head; snout- 17-22% head; eye 20-24% head; gill open- rictus 27-30% head; gill opening 8-19% ing 12-16% head; interbranchial 16-22% head; interbranchial12-17% head; depth 6- head; depth 6-9% TL; pectoral fin 5% TL, 7% TL; pectoral fin 4-7% TL, 23-38% 30% head; caudal fin 1% TL. Pores: LL head; caudal fin 1% TL. Pores: LL 47-53, 55-59, POM 10-11, 10 4 + 1 + 0, SO 4, POM 11,104 + 1 + 0, SO 4, ST O. Total ST O. Total vertebrae: 146 (1), 149 (4), vertebrae: 152 (1), 155 (1), 156 (2), 157 150 (1); precaudal vertebrae ca. 58% total. (1), 160 (1); precaudal vertebrae ca. 48% Pectoral rays ca. 15. Myorhabdoi present. total. Pectoral rays ca. 15-16. Myorhabdoi Stomach long, reaching nearly to vent. Some present. Stomach short, reaching about mid- black pigment on pectoral fin. point between pectoral-fin base and anus. Holotype (measurements in mm).-TL 351, Holotype (measurements in mm) .-TL 233, preanal 156, predorsal 64, head 64, snout preanal 102, predorsal 39.1, head 42.5, II, eye 13.5, gill opening 7.6, interbranchial snout 9.5, eye 9.5, snout-rictus 12.0, gill 13.0, depth 24.5, pectoral fin 19, caudal fin opening 4.7, interbranchial 6.6, depth 13.5, 2. Pores: LL 57,104 + 1 + 0, SO 4, ST pectoral fin 14.5, caudal fin 2.0. Pores: LL 0, total vertebrae 149. Pectoral rays 15. 50, POM 11, 104 + 1 + 0, SO 4, ST O. Dorsal rays 202. Anal rays 151. Female. Total vertebrae 156. 534 BULLETIN OF MARINE SCIENCE, VOL. 27, NO.3, 1977

1

Diagnosis.-Ariosoma analis is the only 81 m, 9 November 1973. ANSP 128393 (1 :290- other western Atlantic species that lacks tail incomplete), DOLPHIN Cr. 74-02, 33°25.5'N, 77'03.5'W, 88 m, 20 April 1974. UMML 31019 postorbital pores. Ariosoma coquettei is (1 :352), SILVER BAY 1393, 32°32'N, 78°40'W, 40- distinguished from A. analis by the lesser 50 fm (73-92 m), 26 October 1959. UMML preanal length and the short rather than long 32627 (1:236), SILVER BAY 3522, 25°19'N, 80° 08'W, 30-45 fm (55-82 m), 9 November 1961. stomach. Also, A. coquettei has more verte- brae. Description.-Preanal 36-40% TL; predor- sal 17-19% TL; head 16-18% TL; snout Distribution.-This species has been col- 31-35% head; eye 19-21% head; snout- lected only from the coast of the Guianas, rictus 39-42% head; gill opening 7-15% South America, in 53-135 m. head; interbranchial 22-29% head; depth Etymology.-Named for the U.S. Fish and 4-6% TL; pectoral fin 5-6% TL, 25-39% Wildlife Service Research Vessel COQUETTE, head; caudal fin 2% TL. Pores: LL 26-31, which collected the first specimen. POM 10 (the basic number, one specimen examined had 9),104 + 1 + 3, SO 6, ST 3. Genus Gnathophis Kaup Total vertebrae: 125 (4), 126 (5), 127 (2),128 (2),129 (2), 130 (1); precaudal This widespread genus is represented in vertebrae ca. 32% total. Pectoral rays 11- the western North Atlantic by three previ- 14; dorsal rays 180 (1), 188 (1), 190 (1), ously undescribed species. 194 (1); anal rays 129 (1),132 (1),138 (1), 151 (1). Only second lateral-line pore GnflthOlJhis brflcheatopos new species elevated. Digestive tract pale. Air bladder Figure 5 extends past vent. Material examined.-Holotype USNM 163523 Holotype (measurements in mm) .-TL 345, (male: 345 mm TL), OREGON 896, 28°50'N, 85°06'W, 35 fm (64 m), 7 March 1954. Para- Preanal 126, predorsal 61, head 62, snout types: USNM 163485 (2: 198-318), OREGON 35, 20, eye 12, snout-rictus 24.5, gill opening 25°35'N, 83°42'W, 60 fm (110 m), 26 June 1950. 7.0, interbranchial 15.5, depth ca. 17, pec- USNM 197128 (1:269), SILVER BAY 2357, 25°04'N, 80° 17'W, 30-35 fm (55-64 m), 25 Oc- toral fin 15.5. Pores: LL 27, POM 10, 10 tober 1960. ANSP 123583 (1:335), SILVER BAY 4 + 1 + 3, SO 6, ST 3. Total vertebrae 126. 1393, 32°32'N, 78°40'W, 40-50 fm (73-92 m), Pectoral rays 14, dorsal rays 188, anal rays 29 October 1959. ANSP 109602 (2:246-267), SILVER BAY 3521, 25' 15'N, 80° W'W, 40-50 fm 132. (73-92 m), 9 November 1961. ANSP 130817 (1:245, illustrated), same data as ANSP 109602. Diagnosis.- This species differs from G. ANSP 128389 (7:209-321), DOLPHIN Cr. 74-02, bathytopos n. sp. in having fewer lateral-line 30027.5'N, 80040'W, 31 m, 7 April 1974. ANSP 128390 (2:259-312), DOLPHIN Cr. 74-02, pores, having only the second lateral-line 30053.5'N, 80'00.2'W, 68 m, 11 April 1974. pore elevated (Fig. 6), and having a pale ANSP 128391 (1:303), DOLPHIN Cr. 74-02, stomach. It differs from G. tritos n. sp. in 33°21.1'N, 77°11.7'W, 66 m, 20 April 1974. ANSP 128392 (1: 305), DOLPHIN Cr. 5, 32°20'N, 78°59'W, having fewer vertebrae, fewer lateral-line SMITH AND KANAZAWA: EELS OF THE FAMILY CONGRIDAE 535 pores, and a longer air bladder. The follow- ing extralimital species of Gnathophis differ d. o· d from G. bracheatopos as follows (vertebral counts from Castle, 1968): G. nystromi (Jordan and Snyder) has a black stomach and fewer vertebrae (117-124); G. ginango (Asano) has more lateral-line pores (35- Figure 6. Anterior section of lateral line of 40); G. xenica (Matsubara and Ochiai) has GI/athophis bathytopos n. sp. showing elevated more vertebrae (151-157) and more lateral- pores. ANSP 127791, 342 mm TL. line pores (41-46); G. habenatus (Richard- son) has fewer vertebrae (119-126); G. capensis (Kaup) has more lateral-line pores (2); precaudal vertebrae ca. 32% total. Pec- (32-40); G. incognitus Castle has more toral rays 10-13; dorsal rays 186 (1), 209 vertebrae (139-147); and G. catalinensis (1),215 (1); anal rays 124 (1), 138 (1), (Wade) has more vertebrae (132). 159 (1). In addition to the second lateral- line pore, the seventh-eighth through the Distribution.-Eastern Gulf of Mexico, twelfth-sixteenth pores are also elevated Straits of Florida and northward to South (Fig. 6). Stomach black, intestine pale. Air Carolina in 55-110 m. bladder extends past vent. Etymology.-Greek brachos shallow, Holotype (measurements in mm) .-TL 340, topos = place. Referring to the shallow- preanal 133, predorsal 66.5, head 59, snout water habitat. 17.9, eye 11.9, snout-rictus 22, depth 17, pectoralfin 16. Pores: LL 31 (2, 7-14 ele- Gnath01Jhis bathytopos new species vated), POM 10,104 + 1 + 3, SO 6, ST 3. Figure 6 Total vertebrae 132. Pectoral rays 12, dor- Material examil/ed.-Holotype USNM 190597 sal rays 215, anal rays 159. (female: 340 mm TL), SILVER BAY 1200, 25° 13'N, 84°15W, 100 fm (183 m), 9-10 June 1959. Diagnosis.-This is the only western Atlantic Paratypes: USNM 213558 (2: 314-330), same species with five or six additional lateral-line data as holotype. USNM 197113 (2:218-240), pores elevated, and the only one with a SILVERBAY 2479, 25°29'N, 79°19'W, 200 fm (366 m), 9 November 1960. USNM 213557 (1:339), black stomach. The eastern Atlantic G. OREGON6400, 21"54'N, 86°28'W, 130 fm (238 m), mystax (Delaroche) is similar to this species, 22 January 1967. ANSP 127791 (1:342), DOL- differing mainly in having more vertebrae PHIN Cr. 5, 32°18'N, 78°50W, 102-103 fm (187- 188 m), 8 November 1973. UMML 17085 (1: (134-141) . G. codoniphorus Maul, 1972 111), GERDA 452, 25°02'N, 80012W to 25°05'N, from the northeastern Atlantic has more 80009W, 101 fm (185 m), 22 January 1965. UMML 22591 (1:174), GERDA 795, 24°52'W, vertebrae (144). G. capensis from South 80020'W to 24°52'N, 80020.5'W, 102-105 fm (187- Africa is close to G. bathytopos in meristic 192 m), 16 August 1966. UMML 30226 (1:351- characters (Castle, 1968). We have no in- tail incomplete), GERDA 954, 20° 11'N, 86°30'W, 90-170 fm (165-311 m), 28 January 1968. formation on the nature of the lateral-line pores and the stomach in G. capensis, but Description.-Preanal 38-40% TL; predor- the widely disjunct distributions make it un- sal 18-20% TL; head 15-18% TL; snout likely that the two forms represent a single 27-32% head; eye 18-21 % head; snout- species, particularly since G. mystax is inter- rictus 36-37% head; gill opening 8-12% posed between them. The Japanese G. head; interbranchial 19-36% head; depth nystromi also has a black stomach, but it has 3-6% TL; pectoral fin 3-6% TL, 18-30% fewer vertebrae (117-124). Gnathophis head; caudal fin 2% TL. Pores: LL 27-37, heterolinea (Kotthaus) from the Indian POM 10, 10 4 + 1 + 3, SO 6, ST 3. Total Ocean differs in having fewer vertebrae vertebrae: 128 (2), 129 (1), 132 (1), 133 (120). 536 BULLETIN OF MARINE SCIENCE, VOL. 27, NO.3, 1977

Remarks.-Kotthaus (1968) described a new genus, Lemkea, based largely on the .....~. elevated anterior lateral-line pores. Gna- thophis bathytopos and G. mystax both show 1 em ~-=-_~-- p this feature, but differ in no significant way from the other species in the genus. We Figure 7. GnatllOphis tritos n. sp., 181 mm TL. therefore consider Lemkea a junior synonym ANSP 126972. of Gnathophis. pores, having only one or two postorbital Distribution.-Southeastern Gulf of Mexico pores, only five supraorbital pores, only and Straits of Florida in 183-366 m. nine preoperculomandibular pores, and hav- Etymology.-Greek bathys = deep, topos = ing a pale stomach. Characters separating place. Referring to the greater depth of cap- G. tritos from G. bracheatopos, in addition ture. to the pore configuration, are given in the diagnosis of the latter species. Gnathophis GnathoJ1his tritos new species tritos appears to be the only species of the Figure 7 genus with fewer than three postorbital Material examined.-Holotype ANSP 126972 pores. (male: 181 mm TL), PILLSBURY 1171, 23°25'N, 79°24'W to 23°34'N, 79°20'W, 516-521 m, 27 Distribution.-Known only from the Straits June 1970. Paratypes: UMML 29613 (1:173), of Florida in 458-567 m. same data as holotype. UMML 15758 (1: 173), GERDA 247, 27"07'N, 79°21'W to 27° IO'N, 79° Etymology.-Greek trUos = third, i.e., the 21'W, 310 fm (567 m), 5 February 1964. third species of Gnathophis discovered in the Description.-Preanal 37-39% TL; predor- western Atlantic. sal 18-19% TL; head 15-16% TL; snout Genus Hildebrandia Jordan and Evermann 26-28% head; eye 22-23% head; snout- rictus 36% head; gill 12-15% head; inter- Jordan and Evermann (1927) established branchial 20% head; depth 3-4% TL; pec- the genus Hildebrandia to contain Conger- toral fin 4% TL, 26-27% head; caudal fin muraena flava Goode and Bean, 1896. Con- 1% TL. Pores: LL 34-36, POM 9, 10 4 grina gracilior Ginsburg, 1951 also belongs + 1 + 1-2, SO 5, ST 3. Total vertebrae: in Hildebrandia. A third species, H. guppyi 136 (2), 138 (1); precaudal vertebrae ca. (Norman), is redescribed below. 32% total. Pectoral rays 10-11. In one specimen, only the second lateral-line pore Hildebrandia guppyi (Norman) is elevated, in another the seventh is also Figure 8 elevated. Digestive tract pale; air bladder Congromuraena guppyi Norman, 1925. ends before vent. Material examined.-Holotype: British Museum Holotype (measurements in mm) .-TL 181, (female: 945 mm TL), Tobago, West Indies. Others: USNM 196167 (male: 472 mm TL), preanal 70, predorsal 34, head 29, snout OREGON 2666, 18°32'N, 66°46.5'W, 200 fm 7.5, eye 6.4, snout-rictus 10.4, gill opening (366 m), 7 October 1959, USNM 179228 (1:182), OREGON3587, 9°18'N, 80025'W, 75 fm (137 m), 3.5, depth 6.7, pectoral fin ca. 7.4, caudal 29 May 1962. USNM 187628 (2:364-470), SIL- fin 1.9. Total vertebrae 138. Pores: LL 36 VER BAY 3512, 23°05'N, 78°49'W, 225-250 fm (second elevated), POM 9, 10 4 + 1 + 1 (412-458 m), 7 November 1961. USNM 190599 (6:312-535), OREGON2666, same data as USNM right -2 left, SO 5, ST 3. 196167. USNM 193599 (2: 156-178), OREGON 3588, 9° 18'N, 80027'W, 100 fm (183 m), 29 May Diagnosis.-This species has a shorter air 1962. USNM 213812 (2:403-543), OREGON5916, bladder than the other two western Atlantic 18°IO'N, 63°16'W, 185 fm (339 m), 25 February species. It differs from G. bathytopos in 1966. USNM 213844 (3:347-454), OREGON5628, 10042'N, 67°53'W, 115 fm (210 m), 28 September lacking the extra several elevated lateral-line 1965. USNM 213845 (1:450), OREGON 6424, SMITH AND KANAZAWA: EELS OF THE FAMILY CONGRIDAE 537

Table 1. Frequency distribution of vertebral num- bers of Hildebrandia guppyi and H. gracilior

Vertebral number

173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 -- H ildehrlllulia guppyi 2 1 1 2 1

13" 12.5'N, 82" 15.6'W, 110-120 fm (201-220 m), muraena guppyi belongs to the species 4 February 1967. ANSP 128764 (1:537), OREGON treated here. Large individuals of Hilde- 2664, 18"31.5'N, 66°50'W, 160 fm (293 m), 7 October 1959. brandia are often difficult to identify, and the type of guppyi is one of the largest speci- Description.-Preanal 25-32'70 TL; predor- mens we have seen. The absence of the sal 40-49'70 preanal; head 40-48'70 preanal; fourth supraorbital pore indicates that it is snout 20-27'70 head; eye 11-18'70 head; not graeilior and we have eliminated that snout-rictus 33-38'70 head; gill opening 7- species from consideration. The vertebral 14'70 head; interbranchial 19-27'70 head; count, 177, is the strongest evidence that it depth 9-13'70 preanal; pectoral fin 12-15'70 is not f/ava. This is well within the range of preanal, 25-37'70 head; caudal fin 4'70 pre- the third species, but appears too high for anal. Pores: LL 24-33, POM 10, 10 4 flava (159-171). Tooth characters appear + 1 + 0, SO 3, ST 1. Total vertebrae: 173 unreliable in large specimens. The type of (2),174 (1),175 (1), 177 (2), 178 (1). guppyi has a premaxillary patch like that of Pectoral rays 11-13. Stomach black, intes- the third species, but the vomerine patch is tine pale. more like that of flava. The lateral-line pore Holotype (measurements in mm) .-TL 945, count is unusually high for any of the three preanal 350, predorsal141, head 141, snout species. The other 19 specimens of the third 32, eye 16.2, gill opening 18.5, pectoral fin species had 24-28 such pores; in the speci- 41. Pores: LL 33, POM 10,104 + 1 + 0, mens of flava we have examined, the count SO 3, ST 1. Total vertebrae 177. ranges from 26 to 34, in graeilior 23-27. Since the specimen is gutted, the color of the Diagnosis.-Hildebrandia guppyi differs stomach cannot be determined. We have no from H. flava in having a broader premaxil- evidence that more than three species of lary tooth patch and a longer vomerine tooth Hildebrandia occur in the area and thus as- patch, a black rather than pale stomach, and sume that guppyi represents one of these more vertebrae (H. flava has about 156- three. With no fully satisfactory solution to 171). H. guppyi differs from H. graci/ior in the problem, we have chosen the conserva- lacking the fourth supraorbital pore and hav- tive course and applied the name guppyi to ing a greater average number of vertebrae the third species. The alternative would be (Table I). Table 2 shows the condition of to create a new name with the possibility of several characters in the three species of future synonymy. H ildebrandia. On the average H. guppyi lives in deeper Remarks.-While there is no doubt in our water than either flava or graeilior. Average minds about the validity of the species de- depth of capture of specimens available to scribed here, the name to be applied to it us were as follows: H. flava 41 fm (75 m), presents a problem. We cannot be com- H. graeilior 113 fm (207 m), H. guppyi 150 pletely certain that the type of Congro- fm (275 m). 538 BULLETIN OF MARINE SCIENCE, VOL. 27, NO.3, 1977

Table 2. Comparison of certain characters in the three western Atlantic species of Hildebralldia ------Character H. flava H. gracilior H.gllppyi Fourth SO pore Absent Present Absent Color of stomach Pale Black Black Premax. tooth patch As long as or Broader than Broader than longer than broad long long Vomerine tooth patch As broad Longer than Longer than as long broad broad Number of vertebrae 153-171 176-182 173-178

Hildebrandia guppyi seems closer to 72°40'W, 200 fm (366 m), 2 June 1964. Para- gracilior than to jlava. types: USNM 158172 (1:452), OREGON 1055, 19° 14'N, 93°00'W, 225 fm (412 m), 15 May Distribution.-Caribbean from Panama to 1954. USNM 158905 (2:302-378), OREGON2080, 2°04'N, 47°00'W, 125 fm (229 m), 17 November Venezuela and Tobago, north through the 1957. USNM 158908 (1:346), OREGON 202], Antilles to Cuba in 137-458 m. 7°18'N, 53°32'W, 100 fm (183 m), 8 November 1957. USNM 158911 (1:418), OREGON 2005, Genus Rhechias Jordan 7°34'N, 54°50'W, 200 fm (366 m), 6 November 1957. USNM 178994 (1:522), OREGON4082, 27° Rhechias Jordan, 1921 is a senior syn- 54'N, 85°09'W, 200 fm (366 m), 4 December 1962. USNM 179071 (2:391-395), OREGON4301, onym of the widely used Congrina Jordan 7°34'N, 54° 13'W, 200 fm (366 m), 24 March and Hubbs, 1925. Smith (1970) showed that 1963. USNM 185653 (1:303), OREGON 2351, the holotype and only known specimen of 11°31'N, 62°24'W, 185-200 fm (339-366 m), 23 September 1958. USNM 185654 (2:464-507), Rhechias armiger Jordan, 1921 is a dam- OREGON2290, 7°27'N, 54°32'W, 110 fm (201 m), aged specimen of Congermuraena aequoria 8 September 1958. USNM 193594 (1:495), ORE- Gilbert and Cramer, 1897, the same species GON 3598, 9°03'N, 81°22'W, 200-220 fm (366- 403 m), 31 May 1962. USNM 193596 (2:148- used later by Jordan and Hubbs as the type 453), OREGON 3600, 9°03'N, 81° 18'W, 300 fm species of Congrina. (549 m), 31 May 1962. USNM 193612 (1:446), OREGON3590, 9°18'N, 80022'W, 125 fm (229 m), Of the western Atlantic species attributed 30 May 1962. USNM 198674 (1:510), OREGON to this genus in the past, only Congrina 4838, 11°09.5'N, 74°24.5'W, 170-180 fm (311- thysanochila Reid, 1934 clearly belongs 329 m), 16 May 1964. USNM 198679 (1:510), OREGON4638, 26°30'N, 96° 16.5'W, 250 fm (458 there. Pseudoxenomystax dubius Breder, m), 24 January 1964. USNM 198767 (1:438), 1927 shows many osteological similarities to OREGON 4880, 10024'N, 75°50'W, 190-195 fm the Rhechias group, and a good case can be (348-357 m), 24 May 1964. USNM 198769 (1:580), OREGON 4911, 11°50'N, 73°05'W, 175- made for including it in this genus. The main 190 fm (320-348 m), 31 May 1964. USNM external differences between dubius and the 198770 (1:511), OREGON 4859, 11°09'N, 74° other species is the position of the posterior 26.5'W, 180-195 fm (329-357 m), 19 May 1964. ANSP 114947 (1:450), OREGON 10288, 11°27'N, nostril, at mid-eye level rather than opposite 73°42'W, 220 fm (403 m), 5 December 1968. the upper margin of the eye. ANSP 122923 (1:395), OREGON 11253, 11°26'N, 73°41'W, 220 fm (403 m), 10 November 1970. The three species treated below are close ANSP 126526 (5:395-465), OREGON 10260, 11° to thysanochila, which differs from them in 03'N, 75°18'W, 200 fm (366 m), 2 December having fewer lateral-line pores (26-29). R. 1968. ANSP 109616 (2:518-606), OREGON 1889, 16°39'N, 81°01'W, 250 fm (458 m), 24 August thysanochila always lacks postorbital and in- 1957. UMML 11063 (1:363), OREGON3640, 21° terorbital pores. 50'N, 86°34'W, 30 fm (55 m), 12 June 1962.

Rhechias bltllisi new species Description.-Preanal 37-41 % TL; predor- Figure 9 sal 39-49% preanal; head 35-40% preanal; snout 26-30% head; eye 15-19% head; Material examilled.-Holotype USNM 198768 (male: 493 mm TL), OREGON 4922, 12° 16'N, snout-rictus 36-42% head; gill opening 8- SMITH AND KANAZAWA: EELS OF THE FAMILY CONGRIDAE 539

Material examined.-Holotype: USNM 84568 (105 mm TL, sex indeterminate), ALBATROSS2161, 23° 10'36"N, 82°20'28"W, 146 fm (267 m). Others: USNM 158885 (1:302), OREGON 1921, 13°33'N, 81°55'W, 275 fm (503 m), 13 September 1957. " USNM 158907 (1:335), OREGON 2081, 1"52'N, 45°54'W, 175 fm (320 m), 17 November 1957. USNM 193565 (1:290), OREGON 3570, 14°08'N, 81°55'W, 200-240 fm (366-439 m), 2 May 1962. 1 em USNM 197738 (l :259), Gulf of Mexico, 120 Figure 9. Rhechias bullisi n. sp., 395 mm TL. miles 250° from Egmont Key, Florida, 200-232 fm (366-426 m), 23 May 1963. USNM 202951 ANSP122923. (1:112), OREGON5955, 13°41'N, 60053'W, 90 fm (165 m), 10 March 1966. USNM 202952 (1:263), OREGON 6403 17°24'N, 87" 56.5'W, 143 fm 13% head; interbranchial 21-29% head; (262 m), 23 January 1967. ANSP 112038 (2: 194- depth ]2-16% preanal; pectoral fin 10-13% 225), SILVER BAY 1184, 23°56'N, 87°32'W, 150 fm (275 m), 5 June 1959. ANSP 122924 (1:462), preanal, 26-33% head; caudal fin 5-7% pre- OREGON 11253, 1l026'N, 73°41'W, 220 fm (403 anal. Pores: LL 39-45, POM 10,104 + 1 m), 10 November 1970. UMML 2682 (1:265), COMBAT236, 27°29'N, 78°58'W, 200 fm (366 m), + 0, SO 3, ST 1. Total vertebrae: 179 (1), 2 February 1957. UMML 14152 (1:242), GERDA 180 (5), 181 (3), 183 (2), 184 (1), 185 251, 27°25'N, 78°41'W, 160-170 fm (293-311 m), (1),186 (1). Pectoral rays ca. 15-20. Pos- 5 February 1964. UMML 29591 (1:98), GERDA 880, 21"04'N, 86°25'W, 55-180 fm (101-329 m), terior nostril above mid-eye level. Dorsal 9 September 1967. UMML 29592 (1: 148), GERDA origin slightly behind base of pectoral fin. 951, 21°06'N, 86°28'W, 105-168 fm (192-307 m), Stomach extends about % of the way to vent. 28 January 1968. UMML 29692 (3:160-225), PILLSBURY1425, 20053.1'N, 71 °36'W to 20056.5'N, Digestive tract black. 7l"34'W, 393-435 rn, 19 July 1971. Holotype (measurements in mm).-TL 493, Description.-Preanal 32-38% TL; predor- preanal 180, predorsal 79, head 71, snout sal 42-48% preanal; head 38-46% preanal; 21, eye 11.5, snout-rictus 30, gill opening snout 23-30% head; eye 14-20% head; 6.9, interbranchial18, depth 28, pectoral fin snout-rictus 33-43% head; gill opening 10- 23.5, caudal fin 8.5. Pores: LL 42, POM 17% head; interbranchia1 19-30% head; 10, 10 4 + 1 + 0, SO 3, ST 1. Total verte- depth 12-19% preanal; pectoral fin 11-14% brae 181. Pectoral rays 18. preanal, 25-31% head. Pores: LL 33-38, POM 10-11,104 1 0-3, SO 3-6, ST 1. Diagnosis.-Rhechias bullisi is characterized + + Total vertebrae: 168 (1), 170 (2), 171 by the high number of lateral-line pores com- (1), 175 (1), 176 (1); precaudal vertebrae bined with the absence of postorbital and ca. 28% total. Pectoral rays ca. 15-18. interorbital pores. Posterior nostril, dorsal origin, and stomach Distribution.-From the Gulf of Mexico as in R. bullisi. south along the coast of Central and South Holotype (measurements in mm) .-TL 105, America to the Amazon region of Brazil in preanal 36, predorsal ca. 15, snout 3.5, eye 55-549 m. Absent from the Antilles. 2.5, snout-rictus 6.0. Pores: LL ca. 33, 10 This species and R. thysanochila seem to be 4 1 0, SO 3, ST 1. Total vertebrae 170. an example of an insular-continental species + + Pectoral rays 17. pair, bullisi being the continental form and thysanochila the insular. Diagnosis.-This is the only western Atlantic species with 33-38 lateral-line pores. Etymology.-Named for Harvey R. Bullis of the National Marine Fisheries Service. Remarks.-This species shows a wide range of variation and anomaly in the number and Rhechias vicinalis (Garman), 1899 arrangement of head pores. Postorbital Uroconger vicil/us (1/0/1 Vaillant, 1888), Goode pores may be present or absent; the supra- and Bean, 1896. Urocol/ger vicil/aUs Garman, 1899. orbital canal may have from three to six 540 BULLETIN OF MARINE SCiENCE, VOL. 27, NO.3, 1977 pores; a pore mayor may not be present at the junction of the lateral-line, supratempo- ral, and preoperculomandibular canals; an eleventh pore mayor may not be present in the preoperculomandibular canal between the tenth paM pore and the junction with the lateral line. Anomalous conditions (i.e" double pores, different numbers on the two sides) are also common. At first we thought there might be two species, one having the minimum number of pores (3 SO, 10 paM, no postorbital), and another with extra ~ pores. When the entire range of variation ~---~ was seen, however, we found it extremely .' difficult to make a clear-cut division into -- two groups. Vertebral counts and lateral- I em line pore counts for all specimens fall into a Figure 10. Rhechias polypora n. sp., 402 mm TL. single normal distribution. We therefore USNM 157889. consider all the specimens examined to be- long to a single species, Rhechias vicinalis. The type specimen was provisionally iden- origin, and stomach as in Rhechias bullisi. tified by Goode and Bean (1896: 138, Fig. Vertebral counts unavailable. 160) as Uroconger vicinus Vaillant. Gar- man (1899) recognized the error of this and Holotype (measurements in mm).-TL 430, proposed the name Uroconger vicinalis for preanal 162, predorsal 67, head 50.5, snout the specimen. 13.5, eye 6.9, snout-rictus 20, gill opening 5.8, depth 25, pectoral fin 12. Pores: LL Distribution.-Gulf of Mexico to the Ama- 46, paM 12, 10 4 + 3(left) 2(right) + 4 zon region of Brazil in 101-503 m. (left) 3(right), SO 5, ST 3. Pectoral rays 15. Rhechias IJolYlJOTCl new species Diagnosis.-This is the only species with Figure 10 three supratemporal pores. Among the other Material e.wmined.-Holotype USNM 197143 species, only Rhechias vicinalis has postor- (male: 430 mm TL), SILVERBAY 2483, 26°25/N, 79°01'W, 300 fm (549 m), 9 November 1960. bital and interorbital pores, but vicinalis has Paratypes: USNM 157889 (1:402), OREGON1340, fewer lateral-line and supratemporal pores. 22°55'N, 79°27'W, 240 fm (439 m), 15 July 1955. The head length of R. polypora is less than UMML 29672 (1:420), PILLSBURY1171, 25°35'N, 79°24'W to 25°34'N, 79°20'W, 516-521 m, 27 that of the other species, and the mouth is June 1970. more nearly terminal. Description.-Preanal indeterminate, prob- Remarks.-All three specimens have regen- ably slightly less than 38% TL; predorsal40- erated tails, so vertebral counts are unavail- 41% preanal; head 30-32% preanal; snout able. The specimens show some anomaly 24-27% head; eye 14-16% head; snout- and variation in head pores. rictus 39-41% head; gill opening 11-13% head; interbranchial 25-29% head; depth Distribution.- The Straits of Florida and the north Coast of Cuba in 439-549 m. L 1-15% preanal; pectoral fin 7-8% preanal, 24-27% head. Pores: LL 46-49, POM Etymology.-Greek polys = many, poros = 11-12, 10 4 + 1-3 + 2-4, SO 5, ST 3. hole, referring to the numerous pores in the Pectoral rays 15. Posterior nostril, dorsal lateralis system. SMITH AND KANAZAWA: EELS OF THE FAMILY CONGRIDAE 541

Genus Japonoconger Asano Asano (1958) established this genus to contain the single species Arisoma [sic] ~~~~.:·"i~~~~·~..~_··.~.~.~.....~..~....~:v.1 sivicola Matsubara and Ochiai, 1951. A sec- ~ "A ond species is described below from the southern Caribbean Sea. c~

Japonoconger caribbelts new species Figure 1]. Japo/loco/lger caribheu.\· n. sp., 356 Figure 11 mm TL. ANSP ]26973. Material exami/led.-Holotype USNM 198685 (female: 500 mm TL), OREGON 4859, 11"09'N, 74°26.5W, 180-190 fm (329-348 m), 19 May 1962. Paratypes: USNM 198666 (1:455), ORE- pore. The basic pattern in J. caribbeus GON4451, l1°lO'N, 68°08'W, 220 fm (403 m), 11 seems to be a median pore flanked on each October 1963. USNM 198667 (1:425), OREGON 4925, 12°28'N, n026'W, 300 fm (549 m), 2 June side by a pore midway to the lateral line 1964. USNM 198671 (1:406), OREGON 4425, and another pore immediately above the 1l046'N, 69°17W, 240 fm (439 m), 5 October first lateral-line pore. Anomalies are com- 1963. USNM 198677 (3:430-502), OREGON4922, mon, but no specimen examined had fewer 12°16'N, 72°40'W, 200 fm (366 m), 2 June 1964. ANSP 114153 (1:383), OREGON 4852, IPI0'N, than four. Furthermore, some specimens of 74°27'W, 250-280 fm (458-512 m), 17 May 1964. J. caribbeus have one or two postorbital ANSP 114154 (1:395), OREGON 2777, 1l036'N, 62°46'W, 290 fm (531 m), 19 April 1960. ANSP pores; Asano records no specimen of J. 126136 (1:444), OREGON 10288, 11°27'N, 73° sivicolus with postorbital pores. The supra- 42'W, 220 fm (403 m), 5 December 1968. ANSP temporal pores show considerable variation 126973 (1:356), PILLSBURY776, 11°13.3'N, 74° 50W to 1PI8'N, 74°42.5'W, 223-315 fm (408- in J. caribbeus, but no specimen has fewer 576 m), 29 July 1968. UMML 28785 (1:321), than six; Asano records five supraorbital same data as ANSP 126973. pores for J. sivicoilis. These consistent dif- Description.-Preanal 33% TL; predorsal ferences make it advisable to recognize the 38-45% preanal; head 39-45% preanal; Caribbean form as a species distinct from snout 22-29% head; eye 11-15% head; J. sivicoilis. snout-rictus 30-33% head; gill opening 8- Distribution.-The Caribbean coast of Co- 13% head; interbranchial 16-25% head; lombia and Venezuela in 329-576 m. depth 13-18% preanal; pectoral fin 10-12% preanal, 24-28% head. Pores: LL 33-39, Etymology.-Named for the Caribbean Sea, POM 10,104 + 1 + 0-2, SO 6-9, ST 4-7. the only place the species has been collected. Total vertebrae: 160 (1), 161 (3), 164 (1), 166 (1); precaudal vertebrae ca. 31'70 Acromycter new genus total. Pectoral rays 13-15. Type species.-Ariosoma perturbator Holotype (measurements in mm) .-TL 500, Parr, 1932 preanal 189, predorsal 73, head 77, snout Figure 12 18.7, eye 10.3, snout-rictus 23, gill opening ca. 8, interbranchial 15, depth ca. 30, pec- Description.-Congrid eels of the subfamily toral fin 19, caudal fin 6. Pores: LL 36, Congrinae (sensu Asano, 1962). Snout pro- POM 10,104 + 1 + 0, SO 6, ST 5. Total jecting well beyond lower jaw; snout some- vertebrae 164. Pectoral rays 15. what swollen, fleshy part extending well an- terior to premaxillary tooth patch; posterior Diagnosis.-This species is very similar to nostril somewhat elongate antero-posteriorly, the Japanese Japonoconger sivicolus, but it high on head above anterior part of eye; no has more head pores. According to Asano upturned flange on upper lip; first infraor- ( 1962), J. sivicolus has one supratemporal bital pore absent; eye unusually small for a 542 BULLETIN OF MARINE SCIENCE, VOL 27, NO.3, 1977

with the eastern Atlantic Pseudophichthys latedorsalis Roule. We have been unable to examine the type of P. latedorsalis, but a comparison of the description and illustra- tion of P. latedorsalis (Roule, 1915, 1919) with specimens of Promyllantor schmitti has Figure 12. Acromycter perturbator (Parr), 277 convinced us that the two species are identi- mm TL. ANSP 126976. cal. Specimens typical of Promyllantor schmitti were collected in the Gulf of Guinea congrid; origin of dorsal fin near or slightly by the RjV PILLSBURY.J. Blache, Paris, behind tip of appressed pectoral fin; pectoral (pers. comm.) has examined the type of P. fin small; tail slender but not attenuate; latedorsalis and agrees with our conclusion. teeth granular; premaxillary teeth in several Diagnosis.-Acromycter resembles Pseudo-' rows, confluent with maxillary teeth; vomer- phichthys superficially but differs as follows: ine tooth patch broad, about two-thirds posterior nostril on top of head above an- length of maxillary tooth patch, wider pos- terodorsal margin of eye (at mid-eye level teriorly; maxillary and mandibular teeth in in Pseudophichthys); supraoccipital bone broad bands; preorbital bone with projec- present (absent in Pseudophichthys); ribs tions from lower edge; three or four sub- absent (present in Pseudophichthys) ; neural orbital bones; posterior edge of opercJe arches articulated with the centrum in the serrate; supraoccipital bone present; ribs ab- first 25 vertebrae (first six in Pseudo- sent; anterior few epineurals fused to neural phichthys); no medial projection on first arch; neural arches of about first 25 verte- pharyngobranchial (present in Pseudophich- brae articulated with centrum rather than thys); eye smaller; air bladder beginning fused; caudal vertebrae without epicentral anterior to end of stomach (air bladder en- processes; lateral-line ossicIes weak, oval tirely behind stomach in Pseudophichthys). structures with cartilaginous finger-like pro- (Osteological data from Smith, 1971.) jections from upper and lower edges; stom- ach black, reaching about one-fourth of the Composition and Distribution.-Acromycter way to vent; intestine pale; air bladder long, contains three species: Acromycter alcocki reaching from anterior end of stomach to (Gilbert and Cramer), 1897, from Hawaii; beyond vent; abdomen and inside of mouth A. nezumi (Asano), 1958, from Japan; and and gill area black. A. perturhator (Parr), 1932, from the west- Asano (1962) gave a good description of ern North Atlantic. this genus under the name Promyllantor Al- cock. Etymology.-Greek akron = top, summit, Remarks.-The species of this genus have peak; Greek mykter = nose. Referring to usually been placed in Promyllantor Alcock, the position of the posterior nostril, on top of but they are clearly not congeneric with the the head. The gender is masculine. type species, Promyllantor purpureus Al- cock. Promyllantor purpureus is a heavy- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS bodied eel with the vent at mid-length and We thank the following individuals for providing the posterior nostril in front of the eye, and access to specimens: the curators of the Division is strikingly different in overall appearance of Fishes, National Museum of Natural History; from the other species that have subse- James E. Bohlke, Academy of Natural Sciences, quently been assigned to the genus. Philadelphia; C. Richard Robins, University of Miami; M. Boeseman, Rijksmuseum van Natu- Promyllantor schmitti Hildebrand, from urlijke Historie, Leiden. This report is part of a the western Atlantic, appears to be identical study of the eels of the western North Atlantic SMITH AND KANAZAWA: EELS OF THE FAMILY CONGRIDAE 543 supported by the National Science Foundation related species. Texas J. Sci. 3: 431-485, 15 (NSF-GB-I7736, James E. Bohlke, principal in- figs. vestigator), and a program on oceanic fishes of Goode, G., and T. H. Bean. ]896. Oceanic the tropical Atlantic (NSF-GB-7015, C. Richard Ichthyology. Spec. Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., 2: Robins, principal investigator). It is based on i-xxxv & ]-553, ]23 pis. portions of a doctoral dissertation submitted by the Jordan, D. S., and B. W. Evermann. ]927. New senior author to the faculty of the University of genera and species of North American fishes. Miami. Collection of specimens by the GERDA Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci., Ser. 4, ]6: 501-507. and PILLSBURYwas further aided by grants from Kamohara, T. ]938. On the offshore bottom- the National Science Foundation (NSF-GB-5776, fishes of Provo Tosa, Shikoku, Japan. Maru- ship time) and the National Geographic Society zen, Tokyo. 86 pp., 43 text-figs. (Deep-Sea Biology, Gilbert L. Voss and Frederick Kotthaus, A. ]968. Fische des Indischen Ozeans. M. Bayer, principal investigators). The MBT Ergebnisse Ichthyol. "Meteor." A. Systema- specimen of Parabathymyrus oregoni was collected tischer Teil, III. Ostariophysi and Apodes. during a study of eel larvae of the Gulf of Meteor Forsch. D (3): ]4-56, figs. 97-152. Mexico supported by the National Science Founda- Maul, G. E. 1972. On a new species of eel of tion (NSF-BMS-75-08675, William H. Hulet and the genus G nathophis (Apodes, Congridae) David G. Smith, principal investigators). from the Meteor Seamount. Bocagiana 31: ]-7,7 figs. Norman, J. R. 1925. A new eel of the genus LITERATURE CITED Congromuraella from Tobago, with notes on Allis, E. P., Jr. 1903. The lateral sensory system C. balearica and C. opisthophthalmus. Ann. in the Muraenidae. Internat. Monatsschrift Mag. Nat. Hist. Ser. 9, ]5: 313-314. Anat. Physiol. 33: ]25-170, pis. VI-VTTI. Parr, A. E. 1932. Scientific results of the third Asano, H. 1958. Description of a new genus oceanographic expedition of the "Pawnee" Japonocol/ger typed by A risoma sivicola Mat- 1927. Deep-sea eels exclusive of larval forms. subara and Ochiai, with consideration to the Bull. Bingham Oceanogr. Collection 3 (Art. related genera. Zool. Mag. 67: 316-32], 5): 1-41, 15 figs. fig. 1-5. [In Japanese.] Poey, F. 1858. Memorias sobre la historia natu- 1962. Studies on the congrid eels of ral de la Isla de Cuba. 2: 342 pp., ]9 pIs. Japan. Bull. Misaki Mar. BioI. Inst. Kyoto Roule, L. 1915. Sur un nouveau genre de pois- Univ. 1: 1-143, 62 figs. son apodes, et sur quelque peculariarites de Castle, P. H. J. 1968. The congrid eels of the la biologie de ces etres. Compte Rend. Acad. western Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. Sci. Paris 160: 283-284. Ichthyol. Bull. Dep. Ichthyol. Rhodes Univ. ---. 1919. Poissons provenant des campagnes 33: 685-726, pIs. 105-108, text-fig. l. d u yacht Princesse-Alice (1891-] 903) et du Fowler, H. W. ]934. Description of new fishes yacht Hirondelle (1914). Res. Camp. Sci. obtained 1907 to 1910, chiefly in the Philip- Monaco 52: 1-190,7 pI. pine Islands and adjacent seas. Proc. Acad. Smith, D. G. 1970. The correct identity of two Nat. Sci. Philad. 85: 233-367, 115 figs. "rare" Hawaiian eels. Copeia 1970: 396-397. Garman, S. 1899. Reports on an exploration ]971. Osteology and relationships of off the west coasts of Mexico, Central and the congrid eels of the western North Atlantic South America, and off the Galapagos Islands, (Pisces, Angui11iformes). Ph.D. dissertation, in charge of Alexander Agassiz, by the U.S. Univ. of Miami. Fish Commission steamer "Albatross," dur- DATE ACCEPTED: July 23, 1976. ing 1891, Lieut, Commander Z. L. Tanner, U.S.N., commanding. Mem. Mus. Compo ADDRESS: (D.G.S.) Marine Biomedical Institute, Zool. Harv. Univ. 24: 1-431, 97 pIs. 200 University Boulevard, Galveston, Texas 77550; Ginsburg, 1. 1951. The eels of the northern (R.H.K.) Division of Fislles, National Museum of Gulf Coast of the United States and some Natural History, Washingtoll, D.C. 20560.