Encheliophis chardewalli: A New Species of Carapidae (Ophidiiformes) from French Polynesia, with a Redescription of Encheliophis vermicularis
A specimen of Encheliophis was found in the coelomic cavity of a sea cucumber in Moorea (French Polynesia). The skeletal morphology (skull, girdles, vertebrae) reveal it to be a new species, described herein as Encheliophis chardewalli. It is separable from all described species of Encheliophis (except Encheliophis vermicularis) by the lack of pectoral fins and from E. vermicularis by the larger and fewer teeth on the lower jaw (14 vs more than 20 in E. vermicularis) and by seven branchiostegal rays (vs six in E. vermicularis).Abstract
Encheliophis chardewalli cleared-and-stained holotype (A), USNM 372738, 72 mm SL and (B) enlarged view of the head (head length 5.2 mm)
Type locality of Encheliophis chardewalli in Moorea (French Polynesia) marked by arrow
Lateral view of the skull, scale bars equal 1 mm. (A) Encheliophis chardewalli, USNM 372738, 72 mm SL, Opanohu Bay, Moorea, French Polynesia; (B) Encheliophis vermicularis, VIMS 09600, 123 mm SL, Maitre Islet, New Caledonia. AA, articulo-angular; BOC, basioccipital; CPA, coronoid process of the articulo-angular; CPD, coronoid process of the dentary; DE, dentary; EPI, epiotic; EXO, exoccipital; FR, frontal; HM, hyomandibular; INT, intercalar; IO, interopercle; LETH, lateral ethmoid and number of the branch; MESO, mesopterygoid; META, metapterygoid; METH, mesethmoid; MX, maxilla; O, opercle; PAL, palatine; PA pro., palatine process; PAR, parietal; PSPH, parasphenoid; PMX, premaxilla; PO, preopercle; PTE, pterotic; PTT, posttemporal; Q, quadrate; R, retroarticular; SO, subopercle; SOC, supraoccipital; SPHE, sphenotic; SYMP, symplectic; VO, vomer
Lateral view of the anterior part of the vertebral column and neurocranium, scale bars equal 0.5 mm. (A) Encheliophis chardewalli, USNM 372738, 72 mm SL, Opanohu Bay, Moorea, French Polynesia; (B) Encheliophis vermicularis, VIMS 09600, 123 mm SL, Maitre Islet, New Caledonia. CLE, cleithrum; CORA, coracoid; CORA c., coracoid cartilage; EP#, epineural#; NEU, neurocranium; PB, pelvic bone; PRP, parapophysis; PTT, posttemporal; pt SCLE, posterior tip of the SCLE; RAD, radials; SBP, swim bladder plate; SCAP, scapula; SCLE, supracleithrum; I-V, vertebral number
Lateral view of the 10th precaudal vertebra, scale bars equal 0.5 mm. (A) Encheliophis chardewalli, USNM 372738, 72 mm SL, Opanohu Bay, Moorea, French Polynesia; (B) Encheliophis vermicularis, VIMS 09600, 123 mm SL, Maitre Islet, New Caledonia. NEU SP, neural spine; PRP, parapophysis
Contributor Notes
Laboratoire de Morphologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive (LMFE), Bat. B6, University of LiÈge, Belgium; and Centre de Recherche Insulaire et Observatoire de l'Environnement, C.R.I.O.B.E/E.P.H.E., B.P. 1013, Moorea French Polynesia. e.parmentier@ulp.ac.be