New Leptocephalus Types Collected around the Island of Barbados (West Indies)
The subdivision Elopomorpha, united by the possession of a leptocephalus larval stage, is a diverse group of primarily tropical fishes that contains many rare species. In this paper, six leptocephalus types collected from the waters around Barbados are described, including the muraenid, Echidna catenata, two ophichthid types, and one nettastomatid type that are most likely the larvae of species that have not been collected and described as adults, and an additional ophichthid type and muraenid type that cannot be matched to a species. Based on this work and previous descriptive work on both adult and larval ophichthids, western North Atlantic species richness in this family is evaluated.Abstract
(A) Echidna catenata, whole view, 41.1 mm SL (B) head, 38.8 mm SL (C) top of head, 38.8 mm SL. (D) Gymnothorax species F, whole view, 44.7 mm SL (E) head and anterior body, 44.7 mm SL (F) underside of esophagus. (G) Hoplunnis species D, whole view, 61.3 mm SL (H) head and anterior body, 61.3 mm SL (I) whole view, 10.9 mm SL. (J) Myrophinae species A, whole view, 63.7 mm SL (K) head and anterior body, 63.7 mm SL (L) anal region, 63.7 mm SL (M) head and anterior body, 17.5 mm SL. (N) Ophichthini species 8, whole view, 55.5 mm SL (O) head and anterior body, 55.5 mm SL (P) anal region 55.5 mm SL. (Q) Ophichthini species 9, whole view, 55.0 mm SL (R) head and anterior body, 55.0 mm SL (S) anal region, 55.0 mm SL
Continued
Total myomere ranges of larval (grey) and adult (black) ophichthids that have not been paired to the other life stage. Leptocephalus types are grouped in the lowest taxonomic category to which they can be matched. Recorded geographic distributions are also presented (1 = Bahamas/Florida, 2 = Gulf of Mexico, 3 = Western Caribbean, 4 = Greater Antilles, 5 = Lesser Antilles, 6 = Southern Caribbean, 7 = Guyanas). Geographic distribution information and total myomere counts of species not described here are from McCosker et al. (1989), Leiby (1989), and Richardson and Cowen (2004)
Contributor Notes
Marine Biology and Fisheries Division, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, Florida 33149-1098. E-mail: (DER) drichardson@rsmas.miami.edu Send reprint requests to DER.