Two new species of the previously montypic congrid eel genera Poeciloconger and Macrocephenchelys from eastern Australia

Abstract

Poeciloconger kapala n.sp. (Congridae, Bathymyrinae), described from a single 540 mm SL specimen trawled in about 50 m north of Sydney, differs from the only other species of the genus, P.fasciatus Günther, 1871 (tropical Indo-Pacific), in having tan body colouration and small ovoid light spots anteriorly rather than dark spots and irregular bars on a light background, generally molariform rather than sharp vomerine teeth, and fewer vertebrae (148 rather than 154–158). Macrocephenchelys soela n.sp. (Congridae, Congrinae), described from five specimens 259 to 298 mm SL trawled in 350 m off the north-east Queensland coast, is distinct from the unique M. brachialis Fowler, 1934 (Philippines, Mozambique Channel) in having a more robust rather than slender body, a more anterior dorsal origin, a larger branchial aperture, a longer snout, molariform vomerine teeth, and fewer vertebrae (150–151 rather than 179–82).