A new species of the hagfish genus Eptatretus (Myxinidae) from the Bahamas, western North Atlantic

• Published in: Journal of Fish Biology
• Main Authors: Fernholm, Bo, Mincarone, Michael Maia
• Other Authors: Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2023
• Subjects: North Atlantic
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jfb.15343; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/jfb.15343; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full-xml/10.1111/jfb.15343

Abstract A new species of the hagfish genus Eptatretus (Myxinidae) is described based on two specimens (407–433 mm total length) collected off the northern Bahamas, between depths of 910 and 1153 m. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by having seven pairs of gill apertures well‐spaced and arranged in a near straight line, a 3/2 multicusp pattern of teeth, 10–11 anterior unicusps, 50–51 total cusps, 12–14 prebranchial pores, 48–52 trunk pores, 79–84 total pores, and no nasal‐sinus papillae. An identification key for the species of Eptatretus from the western Atlantic Ocean is also provided.