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| Ophichthus vietnamensis
Vo, Hibino & Ho, 2019
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A new species of snake eel, Ophichthus vietnamensis sp. nov., is described on the basis of two specimens collected from off Ky Ha, central coast of Viet Nam. The new species is distinguishable from four similar congeners by having two preopercular pores, a less elongate body (both depth 20–25 times in TL) and the following combination of characters: tail length 56% TL; teeth moderately large and conical, biserial along the entire upper jaw, biserial anteriorly and uniserial posteriorly on lower jaw, uniserial on vomer, and total vertebrae 121–130. Five Ophichthus species are also found in Vietnamese waters, including O. asakusae, O. erabo, O. lithinus, O. rutidoderma and O. urolophus. Detailed descriptions are provided for all species.
Key words: Pisces, Taxonomy, Ichthyology, Snake eel, New species.
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| Fig. 1. Ophichthus vietnamensis sp. nov. (a). OIM-E.55769, holotype, 387 mm TL, fresh; (b, c). OIM-E.55768, paratype, 421 mm TL, fresh. A anus and D dorsal-fin origin. |
Ophichthus vietnamensis sp. nov.
New English name: Vietnamese Snake Eel
Diagnosis: A species of Ophichthus with posterior
nostril above upper lip, covered by a flap that extends
well below the edge of mouth and a less elongate body
than other members of the genus (both depth 20–25
times in TL). It can be distinguished by the following
combination of characters: tail length 56% TL; posterior
end of tail thick, broadly pointed; dorsal origin above
tip of appressed pectoral fin; pectoral fin broad and
rounded; upper lips with a knob-like barbel at anterior
margin of posterior nostril; cephalic sensory pores: SO 1
+ 4, POM 8 – 9 + 2; teeth moderately large and conical,
biserial along entire upper jaw, biserial anteriorly and
uniserial posteriorly on lower jaw, uniserial on vomer;
coloration yellowish-tan, slightly contrasting with
white throat and belly; dorsal fin grayish with pale base,
pectoral fin light brownish and anal fin uniformly pale;
total vertebrae 121–130, mean vertebral formula 12-52-
125.
Etymology: The specific name refers to the type
locality (Vietnam) of the new species.
CONCLUSIONS:
Knowledge of the snake eel genus Ophichthus
from Vietnamese waters has been expanded and
reviewed. A new species is described, and five species
are confirmed from specimens. Data are provided
based on type series together with specimens newly
collected from a broader range. Additional descriptive
characters are employed for recognizing its congeners
and to establish the new species. This study provides
an additional understanding of snake eel species in
Vietnamese waters. Additional collections are needed to
help further understand the taxonomy of this group.
Quang Van Vo, Yusuke Hibino and Hsuan-Ching Ho. 2019. A New Species of the Snake Eel Genus Ophichthus, with Additional Records from Viet Nam (Anguilliformes: Ophichthidae). Zoological Studies. 58:43. DOI: 10.6620/ZS.2019.58-.43.
