Studies on the Zoarcidae (Teleostei: Perciformes) of the Southern Hemisphere. XII. Two New Lycodine Species from off Peru

Abstract

Sixteen deepwater eelpout species were collected from a trawl fishery survey conducted by a joint Japanese-Peruvian team between 1998 and 2003 off Peru. Two are described here as new to science. Lycenchelys imamurai sp. nov. is distinguished from congeners in the area by its unique lateral line configuration, two pelvic-fin rays, lack of head and nape scales, head pore pattern, and counts of the axial skeleton. Pachycara dolichaulus sp. nov. is distinguished from its congeners in the area by its lateral line configuration, low vertebral count, dorsal-fin origin, five postorbital pores, and lack of nape scales.