A revision of Lepophidium (Teleostei, Ophidiidae), with descriptions of eight new species

Abstract

A comprehensive revision of the cusk-eel genus Lepophidium, encompassing all 23 known species, is presented in a single work for the first time. A summary discussion of the status of Lepophidium and its position in the Lepophidiini is presented. Systematic accounts for each species of Lepophidium detail meristic, mensural, and pigment pattern variability, including features of the skeletal and internal anatomy. Eight species are described as new: Lepophidium collettei n. sp., Lepophidium zophochir n. sp., Lepophidium entomelan n. sp., Lepophidium cultratum n. sp., Lepophidium crossotum n. sp., Lepophidium wileyi n. sp., Lepophidium robustum n. sp., and Lepophidium gilmorei n. sp. Two subspecies are elevated to full species. Individual species distribution maps based on 1,012 collections of Lepophidium examined by the authors are presented. A dichotomous key to the 23 species of Lepophidium is provided. Study material, examined over the course of six decades by the senior author, is archived in various natural history museums detailed herein.