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| Coloconger paucitubus, the holotype, MNHN 2006-0384. Ho, Smith & Pogonoski, 2025 Drawn by Y.-K. Kiang. |
Abstract
The short-tail eel family Colocongridae is a group of small to moderately large eels found in the mid- to upper-continental slope of all oceans except the eastern and central Pacific. The taxonomy of this group is still poorly known, and many diagnostic characteristics have never been tested and verified. Museum specimens were examined, and data were taken by following methods provided in previous studies, as well as some newly introduced. A total of seven species are recorded for the only genus, Coloconger, including a new species described herein from the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. The diagnostic characters distinguishing species of Coloconger are discussed, comments are made on previous records, and a key to all known species is provided. Morphology of the post-metamorphic stage and transforming leptocephalus is also provided.
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| Coloconger paucitubus, new species, from the holotype, MNHN 2006-0384. (A) Lateral view. (B) Lateral view of head. (C) Dorsal view of head. Drawn by Y.-K. Kiang. |
Coloconger paucitubus, new species
English name: Solomon Short-tailed Conger
Diagnosis.—A species of Coloconger that differs from its congeners by having relatively few head sensory pores, total head pores usually 30–34, with 1 or 2 SO over posterior nostrils, IO usually 9 or 10, POM usually 11 or 12, and ST consistently 3; PDV 13–18, PAV 76–86, and TV 141–150; mouth cavity dark blue and gill chamber uniformly dark brown; rictus reaching vertical through posterior margin of pupil to posterior margin of eye; no anterior intermaxillary teeth; and body uniformly light brown to black, with lateral-line tubes darkened.
Etymology.—The specific name is a combination of Latin pauci (few) and tubus (tube), referring to the diagnostic low sensory tube (pore) count on the head in comparison to other species of the genus. A noun in apposition.
Hsuan-Ching Ho, David G. Smith and John J. Pogonoski. 2025. Species of the Eel Family Colocongridae (Order Anguilliformes), with Description of a New Species. Ichthyology & Herpetology. 113(1); 154-178. DOI: doi.org/10.1643/i2024034 (10 April 2025)
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