<documentID-CLB-Dataset="281329"ID-DOI="http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/aiep.53.114798"ID-GBIF-Dataset="491650eb-96fa-4bd2-b7ae-0a41c243b0b9"ID-Pensoft-Pub="1734-1515-53-243"ID-Pensoft-UUID="08E5119D87525958B60A0BF9695486A5"ID-ZooBank="F0F9EE40EFCA4E57BBC3E87A9E1E8C60"ModsDocID="1734-1515-53-243"checkinTime="1702117147134"checkinUser="pensoft"docAuthor="Su, Yo, Lin, Hsiu-Chin & Ho, Hsuan-Ching"docDate="2023"docId="7EC22CB56FCD598991DE1AF8288364E6"docLanguage="en"docName="ActIchthPisc 53: 243-251"docOrigin="Acta Ichthyologica et Piscatoria 53"docPubDate="2023-12-07"docSource="http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/aiep.53.114798"docTitle="Neobythites australiensis Nielsen 2002"docType="treatment"docVersion="5"id="08E5119D87525958B60A0BF9695486A5"lastPageNumber="243"masterDocId="08E5119D87525958B60A0BF9695486A5"masterDocTitle="New records of two cusk eels of the genus Neobythites from Taiwan, with a northward range extension of N. australiensis Nielsen, 2002 (Actinopterygii: Ophidiiformes: Ophidiidae)"masterLastPageNumber="251"masterPageNumber="243"pageNumber="243"updateTime="1732779142357"updateUser="ExternalLinkService">
<mods:titleid="05B2A960F054375CB8E3C7977502C19E">New records of two cusk eels of the genus Neobythites from Taiwan, with a northward range extension of N. australiensis Nielsen, 2002 (Actinopterygii: Ophidiiformes: Ophidiidae)</mods:title>
<mods:affiliationid="83BAFC2368BCA32D8B22E663ED2E9FA7">Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan</mods:affiliation>
<mods:affiliationid="F10F2ECE168FBA5B8EDF72D307ED7C05">Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan</mods:affiliation>
<mods:affiliationid="55154EF33F38777180E7B81C3BEE68C6">Doctoral Degree Program in Marine Biotechnology, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan & Department and Graduate Institute of Aquaculture, National Kaohsiung University of Science Technology, Kaohsiung, Taiwan & National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium, Pingtung, Taiwan & Institute of Marine Biology, National Dong Hwa University, Pingtung, Taiwan</mods:affiliation>
<figureCitationid="6B3CFA5BF9412F82349459AEC87C88AE"captionStart="Figure 1"captionStartId="F1"captionText="Figure 1. Neobythites australiensis Nielsen, 2002, NMMB-P 37710, 152.7 mm SL. A. Fresh condition. B. Preserved condition. C. X-radiograph."figureDoi="10.3897/aiep.53.114798.figure1"httpUri="https://binary.pensoft.net/fig/948911"pageId="0"pageNumber="243">
<figureCitationid="72B4E89AEDBCC01047911F9F3E63BEAA"captionStart="Figure 2"captionStartId="F2"captionText="Figure 2. Right sagittal otolith of Neobythites australiensis Nielsen, 2002, 8.5 mm otolith length, taken from NMMB-P 37710, 152.7 mm SL. A. Distal view. B. Proximal view. Scale bar = 1 mm."figureDoi="10.3897/aiep.53.114798.figure2"httpUri="https://binary.pensoft.net/fig/948912"pageId="0"pageNumber="243">, 2</figureCitation>
<bibRefCitationid="CC6B134C6C6330C109891DD118FA472B"author="Nielsen, JG"journalOrPublisher="Galathea Report"pageId="0"pageNumber="243"pagination="5 - 104"refId="B4"refString="Nielsen, JG, 2002. Revision of the Indo-Pacific species of Neobythites (Teleostei, Ophidiidae), with 15 new species. Galathea Report 19: 5 - 104"title="Revision of the Indo-Pacific species of Neobythites (Teleostei, Ophidiidae), with 15 new species."volume="19"year="2002">Nielsen (2002)</bibRefCitation>
: 20 (Original description. Type locality: Southwest of Rowley Shoals,
<bibRefCitationid="BEB0843BB1F58FC4D1F8E31BCB74BFDB"author="Hoese, DF"pageId="0"pageNumber="243"refId="B1"refString="Hoese, DF, Paxton, JR, Gates, JE, Bray, DJ, 2006. Ophidiidae. Pp. 556-566. In: Hoese DF, Bray DJ, Paxton JR, Allen GR (Eds.) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood. Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. Fishes, pt.1, 556."title="Ophidiidae. Pp. 556 - 566. In: Hoese DF, Bray DJ, Paxton JR, Allen GR (Eds.) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood. Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. Fishes, pt. 1, 556."year="2006">Hoese et al. (2006)</bibRefCitation>
: 562 (listed).-
<bibRefCitationid="A5171A021AC90E599183DD7A372CA803"DOI="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10228-005-0298-y"author="Uiblein, F"journalOrPublisher="Ichthyological Research"pageId="0"pageNumber="243"pagination="364 - 372"refId="B10"refString="Uiblein, F, Nielsen, JG, 2005. Ocellus variation and possible functions in the genus Neobythites (Teleostei: Ophidiidae). Ichthyological Research 52 (4): 364 - 372, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10228-005-0298-y"title="Ocellus variation and possible functions in the genus Neobythites (Teleostei: Ophidiidae)."url="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10228-005-0298-y"volume="52"year="2005">Uiblein and Nielsen (2005)</bibRefCitation>
: 365 (in part).-
<bibRefCitationid="5FA08B9BF5145AF22C12AB12F7DD1532"DOI="https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2"author="Uiblein, F"journalOrPublisher="Zootaxa"pageId="0"pageNumber="243"pagination="179 - 205"refId="B13"refString="Uiblein, F, Nielsen, JG, 2023. Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the west Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179 - 205, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2"title="Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the west Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups."url="https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2"volume="5336"year="2023">Uiblein and Nielsen (2023)</bibRefCitation>
Meristic and morphometric characters are provided in Tables
<tableCitationid="FFF16F1F723C343201FFCCA6B21225F3"captionStart="Table 1"captionStartId="T1"captionText="Table 1. Meristic data of Neobythites australiensis Nielsen, 2002 and N. japonicus Uiblein et Nielsen, 2023. Data of other specimens were retrieved from Nielsen (2002) and Uiblein and Nielsen (2023). Paired-fin characters are presented as left / right."httpUri="http://table.plazi.org/id/0785B90A16D6534D1C9D6CC710AAB60D"pageId="0"pageNumber="243"tableUuid="0785B90A16D6534D1C9D6CC710AAB60D">1</tableCitation>
-
<tableCitationid="9244BB45C8626E83FE8D726C524AABD1"captionStart="Table 2"captionStartId="T2"captionText="Table 2. Morphometric data of Neobythites australiensis Nielsen, 2002 and N. japonicus Uiblein et Nielsen, 2023. Data of other specimens were retrieved from Nielsen (2002) and Uiblein and Nielsen (2023)."httpUri="http://table.plazi.org/id/DCD4FE309D58FC4D8B7AA5F4E377CC0E"pageId="0"pageNumber="243"tableUuid="DCD4FE309D58FC4D8B7AA5F4E377CC0E">2</tableCitation>
. Dorsal-fin rays 92, originating over 5th vertebra. Pectoral-fin rays 27/29. Pelvic-fin rays 2/2. Anal-fin rays 73, originating below 21st dorsal-fin ray and 15th vertebra. Caudal-fin rays 4 (upper lobe) + 4 (lower lobe). Preopercular spines 2. Gill rakers on outer face of first gill arch 2 + 1 + 6 = 9. Pseudobranchial filaments 7. Precaudal vertebrae 13; caudal vertebrae 39 (not including ural centra); total vertebrae 52 (not including ural centra). Pyloric caeca 15.
Uiblein et Nielsen, 2023. Data of other specimens were retrieved from
<bibRefCitationid="FB367B9F3709A6488DEB25D2D6FBD5CA"author="Nielsen, JG"journalOrPublisher="Galathea Report"pageId="0"pageNumber="243"pagination="5 - 104"refId="B4"refString="Nielsen, JG, 2002. Revision of the Indo-Pacific species of Neobythites (Teleostei, Ophidiidae), with 15 new species. Galathea Report 19: 5 - 104"title="Revision of the Indo-Pacific species of Neobythites (Teleostei, Ophidiidae), with 15 new species."volume="19"year="2002">Nielsen (2002)</bibRefCitation>
and
<bibRefCitationid="1E1A113F4CE78969F0F95EABA0B8F54D"DOI="https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2"author="Uiblein, F"journalOrPublisher="Zootaxa"pageId="0"pageNumber="243"pagination="179 - 205"refId="B13"refString="Uiblein, F, Nielsen, JG, 2023. Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the west Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179 - 205, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2"title="Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the west Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups."url="https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2"volume="5336"year="2023">Uiblein and Nielsen (2023)</bibRefCitation>
. Paired-fin characters are presented as left/right.
<bibRefCitationid="B5DDB08AF8C6EE7E61AE9143C8023F7B"author="Nielsen, JG"journalOrPublisher="Galathea Report"pageId="0"pageNumber="243"pagination="5 - 104"refId="B4"refString="Nielsen, JG, 2002. Revision of the Indo-Pacific species of Neobythites (Teleostei, Ophidiidae), with 15 new species. Galathea Report 19: 5 - 104"title="Revision of the Indo-Pacific species of Neobythites (Teleostei, Ophidiidae), with 15 new species."volume="19"year="2002">Nielsen 2002</bibRefCitation>
<bibRefCitationid="93AE3A84311FF0C5837FE2E0A2AED203"DOI="https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2"author="Uiblein, F"journalOrPublisher="Zootaxa"pageId="0"pageNumber="243"pagination="179 - 205"refId="B13"refString="Uiblein, F, Nielsen, JG, 2023. Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the west Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179 - 205, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2"title="Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the west Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups."url="https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2"volume="5336"year="2023">Uiblein and Nielsen 2023</bibRefCitation>
Uiblein et Nielsen, 2023. Data of other specimens were retrieved from
<bibRefCitationid="E60A6BECB3DD4590007B11C7CA73B56D"author="Nielsen, JG"journalOrPublisher="Galathea Report"pageId="0"pageNumber="243"pagination="5 - 104"refId="B4"refString="Nielsen, JG, 2002. Revision of the Indo-Pacific species of Neobythites (Teleostei, Ophidiidae), with 15 new species. Galathea Report 19: 5 - 104"title="Revision of the Indo-Pacific species of Neobythites (Teleostei, Ophidiidae), with 15 new species."volume="19"year="2002">Nielsen (2002)</bibRefCitation>
and
<bibRefCitationid="79F3308A8FDF0B385F09F436BDA17C8A"DOI="https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2"author="Uiblein, F"journalOrPublisher="Zootaxa"pageId="0"pageNumber="243"pagination="179 - 205"refId="B13"refString="Uiblein, F, Nielsen, JG, 2023. Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the west Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179 - 205, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2"title="Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the west Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups."url="https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2"volume="5336"year="2023">Uiblein and Nielsen (2023)</bibRefCitation>
<bibRefCitationid="4EEF6994EB378C8DE4026AEB6C7DA676"author="Nielsen, JG"journalOrPublisher="Galathea Report"pageId="0"pageNumber="243"pagination="5 - 104"refId="B4"refString="Nielsen, JG, 2002. Revision of the Indo-Pacific species of Neobythites (Teleostei, Ophidiidae), with 15 new species. Galathea Report 19: 5 - 104"title="Revision of the Indo-Pacific species of Neobythites (Teleostei, Ophidiidae), with 15 new species."volume="19"year="2002">Nielsen 2002</bibRefCitation>
<bibRefCitationid="E888A2B6C8C171CE68B626E997BFC7A5"DOI="https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2"author="Uiblein, F"journalOrPublisher="Zootaxa"pageId="0"pageNumber="243"pagination="179 - 205"refId="B13"refString="Uiblein, F, Nielsen, JG, 2023. Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the west Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179 - 205, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2"title="Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the west Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups."url="https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2"volume="5336"year="2023">Uiblein and Nielsen 2023</bibRefCitation>
<tableNoteid="7D603D9267582F06EBD290FA391FB59B"pageId="0"pageNumber="243">HL = head length, SL = standard length.</tableNote>
</paragraph>
<paragraphid="A8878FD792E0D96B1521F833ABAB8C78"pageId="0"pageNumber="243">Body compressed and elongated, depth at dorsal-fin origin 5.3 in SL, at anal-fin origin 5.4 in SL. Head length 4.5 in SL. Eye window small, horizontal width 5.1 in HL; snout rounded, its length 3.9 in HL, extending before premaxilla; interorbital space narrow, width 4.5 in HL; postorbital length 1.6 in HL.</paragraph>
<paragraphid="5A6FFE50DD6B09E6806BC3545C906DD8"pageId="0"pageNumber="243">Mouth large, upper-jaw length 1.8 in HL; posterior end of maxilla truncated, exceeding beyond vertical through posterior margin of eye window. Two nostrils, anterior nostril forming short tube and situated at about midline of snout; posterior nostril larger than anterior one, situated right in front of eye and lower than horizontal through anterior nostril. Symphysis of premaxillae forming notch, edentate. Premaxilla, dentary, vomer, and palatine with villiform teeth. Vomerine tooth patch triangular, slightly concave at both sides anteriorly. Palatine tooth patch rather broad, gradually thinner anteriorly. Opercle with one strong spine, its end not exceeding beyond flap of opercle.</paragraph>
<paragraphid="87F894647E5184856ACDB7E747614CAE"pageId="0"pageNumber="243">Gill rakers rod-shaped, somewhat laterally compressed, covered with small teeth on tips and inner surfaces; rakers on outer row of first arch longest; inner surface of first arch and both inner and outer surfaces of second to fourth arches short; fifth ceratobranchail with bump-like rakers on outer face and single, long and slender tooth patch on inner face. Oval tooth patch present on upper ends of second and third epibranchials. Triangular tooth patch on second and third pharyngobranchials. Oval, somewhat rectangular tooth patch on fourth pharyngobranchial. Two basibranchials: anterior one elongated and posterior one oval.</paragraph>
<paragraphid="98ED4B917AF13DA6FB4B8764CFB8214E"pageId="0"pageNumber="243">Small cycloid scales present on head, body, and dorsal-and anal-fin bases, all embedded under skin. Lateral line single, situated at upper one-fifth of body; originating from upper part of gill opening and indistinct on posterior portion of body.</paragraph>
<paragraphid="B1FDA86B50C0216187171DD23A4D4B56"pageId="0"pageNumber="243">Pectoral fin short, its length 1.5 in HL, its tip slightly pointed, not reaching vertical through anus. Pelvic-fin length 1.2 in HL, rather short, its tip not reaching anus. Caudal fin rounded, slightly pointed.</paragraph>
<figureCitationid="6A5665AA572195FB50291E09C97C4822"captionStart="Figure 1"captionStartId="F1"captionText="Figure 1. Neobythites australiensis Nielsen, 2002, NMMB-P 37710, 152.7 mm SL. A. Fresh condition. B. Preserved condition. C. X-radiograph."figureDoi="10.3897/aiep.53.114798.figure1"httpUri="https://binary.pensoft.net/fig/948911"pageId="0"pageNumber="243">1C</figureCitation>
).
</emphasis>
First neural spine short, length about half of second neural spine; bases of first-two neural spines not thickened; parapophysis developed on seventh to 13th vertebra; pleural ribs present on third to 12th vertebra, and with epipleural on anterior five pleural ribs; epineurals absent. Anal-fin pterygiophores anterior to first haemal spine 5.
<figureCitationid="42BC984C0E14FDA38A9CB1D1D60DE995"captionStart="Figure 2"captionStartId="F2"captionText="Figure 2. Right sagittal otolith of Neobythites australiensis Nielsen, 2002, 8.5 mm otolith length, taken from NMMB-P 37710, 152.7 mm SL. A. Distal view. B. Proximal view. Scale bar = 1 mm."figureDoi="10.3897/aiep.53.114798.figure2"httpUri="https://binary.pensoft.net/fig/948912"pageId="0"pageNumber="243">2</figureCitation>
) oblong, length 25.1% HL, length/depth ratio 1.84. Both dorsal and ventral margins smoothly curved, with small lobes forming crenation on antero-dorsal and both antero- and postero-ventral margins; distal surface slightly concave; proximal surface slightly convex. Sulcus groove mesial, shallow, horizontal, and archaesulcoid; its length 21.2% HL; both colliculums present, with ostial colliculum elongated and caudal colliculum oval; both crista superior and crista inferior poorly developed; rostrum absent; excisura absent; dorsal depression very shallow; ventral depression absent.
<figureCitationid="28B45C254906F55B7D049C99570DB040"captionStart="Figure 1"captionStartId="F1"captionText="Figure 1. Neobythites australiensis Nielsen, 2002, NMMB-P 37710, 152.7 mm SL. A. Fresh condition. B. Preserved condition. C. X-radiograph."figureDoi="10.3897/aiep.53.114798.figure1"httpUri="https://binary.pensoft.net/fig/948911"pageId="0"pageNumber="243">1A</figureCitation>
), body somewhat purplish, with brown reticulate patterns on head and body. Dorsal fin dusky, with pale vermicular patterns. Anal fin dusky, without any ocellus, its anterior potion rather pale. Pectoral, pelvic, and caudal fins dusky. When preserved (Fig.
<figureCitationid="BD121D31363CD107F04B017257BCA3E2"captionStart="Figure 1"captionStartId="F1"captionText="Figure 1. Neobythites australiensis Nielsen, 2002, NMMB-P 37710, 152.7 mm SL. A. Fresh condition. B. Preserved condition. C. X-radiograph."figureDoi="10.3897/aiep.53.114798.figure1"httpUri="https://binary.pensoft.net/fig/948911"pageId="0"pageNumber="243">1B</figureCitation>
), body color similar fresh but slightly paler. Single ocellus on dorsal fin, covering 19th-35th dorsal-fin rays, with central blotch covering 21st-30th dorsal-fin rays; anterior dorsal fin with single black blotch, covering 1st-4th dorsal-fin rays. Oral cavity, including underside of tongue, lower gill arches, and rakers pale or scattered with sparse melanophores; pyloric caeca pale. Mouth roof behind vomer, inner face of opercle, and upper gill arches dusky. Peritoneum black.
Originally described from northwestern Australia. Although
<bibRefCitationid="2E994B0E4EBD88E2A998F036ADDAF6BB"DOI="https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2"author="Uiblein, F"journalOrPublisher="Zootaxa"pageId="0"pageNumber="243"pagination="179 - 205"refId="B13"refString="Uiblein, F, Nielsen, JG, 2023. Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the west Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179 - 205, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2"title="Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the west Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups."url="https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2"volume="5336"year="2023">Uiblein and Nielsen (2023)</bibRefCitation>
described the previous record from the Pacific Ocean (
<bibRefCitationid="ABE8241F2F3676F540FE6262CE2D56C3"author="Okamoto, M"journalOrPublisher="International Journal of Biogeography, Phylogeny, Taxonomy, Ecology, Biodiversity, Evolution, and Conservation Biology"pageId="0"pageNumber="243"pagination="69 - 71"refId="B9"refString="Okamoto, M, Nielsen, JG, Motomura, H, 2011. First record of the cusk-eel, Neobythites australiensis Nielsen (Ophidiiformes: Ophidiidae), from the Northern Hemisphere. Biogeography. International Journal of Biogeography, Phylogeny, Taxonomy, Ecology, Biodiversity, Evolution, and Conservation Biology 13: 69 - 71"title="First record of the cusk-eel, Neobythites australiensis Nielsen (Ophidiiformes: Ophidiidae), from the Northern Hemisphere. Biogeography."volume="13"year="2011">Okamoto et al. 2011</bibRefCitation>
, the presently reported specimen from Taiwan confirmed the occurrence of this species and suggested a wide distribution in the west Pacific and east Indian Ocean. Inhabits depths down to 350 m (
<bibRefCitationid="90FCECA1139331D434FC56B0EAFA89F7"author="Nielsen, JG"journalOrPublisher="Galathea Report"pageId="0"pageNumber="243"pagination="5 - 104"refId="B4"refString="Nielsen, JG, 2002. Revision of the Indo-Pacific species of Neobythites (Teleostei, Ophidiidae), with 15 new species. Galathea Report 19: 5 - 104"title="Revision of the Indo-Pacific species of Neobythites (Teleostei, Ophidiidae), with 15 new species."volume="19"year="2002">Nielsen 2002</bibRefCitation>
in having one ocellus on the dorsal fin, situated posterior to a vertical through the anus; a black blotch on anterior dorsal fin; no ocellus on the anal fin; two preopercular spines; short pelvic fins, their tips not reaching anus (
<bibRefCitationid="5351188E59486568334CB6B224E61D70"author="Nielsen, JG"journalOrPublisher="Galathea Report"pageId="0"pageNumber="243"pagination="5 - 104"refId="B4"refString="Nielsen, JG, 2002. Revision of the Indo-Pacific species of Neobythites (Teleostei, Ophidiidae), with 15 new species. Galathea Report 19: 5 - 104"title="Revision of the Indo-Pacific species of Neobythites (Teleostei, Ophidiidae), with 15 new species."volume="19"year="2002">Nielsen 2002</bibRefCitation>
However, there are a number of differences compared to the previous record (Tables
<tableCitationid="7E3A9D4A3D8A7A30F1D4A61F9418D01E"captionStart="Table 1"captionStartId="T1"captionText="Table 1. Meristic data of Neobythites australiensis Nielsen, 2002 and N. japonicus Uiblein et Nielsen, 2023. Data of other specimens were retrieved from Nielsen (2002) and Uiblein and Nielsen (2023). Paired-fin characters are presented as left / right."httpUri="http://table.plazi.org/id/0785B90A16D6534D1C9D6CC710AAB60D"pageId="0"pageNumber="243"tableUuid="0785B90A16D6534D1C9D6CC710AAB60D">1</tableCitation>
-
<tableCitationid="20DCFCD3BE2715B06FEDB9F451B8BDE9"captionStart="Table 2"captionStartId="T2"captionText="Table 2. Morphometric data of Neobythites australiensis Nielsen, 2002 and N. japonicus Uiblein et Nielsen, 2023. Data of other specimens were retrieved from Nielsen (2002) and Uiblein and Nielsen (2023)."httpUri="http://table.plazi.org/id/DCD4FE309D58FC4D8B7AA5F4E377CC0E"pageId="0"pageNumber="243"tableUuid="DCD4FE309D58FC4D8B7AA5F4E377CC0E">2</tableCitation>
). The Taiwanese specimen has slightly fewer pseudobranchial filaments (7, vs. 8-11); fewer caudal vertebrae (39, vs. 40-41); shorter head length (22.0% SL, vs. 23.5-24.5% SL); shorter postorbital length (13.5% SL, vs. 14.0-15.5% SL); shorter predorsal length (24.2% SL, vs. 24.5-27.5% SL); shorter preanal length (41.7% SL, vs. 43.0-49.5% SL); and longer anterior gill filaments (7.7% SL, vs. 6.7-7.4% SL). These minor differences are considered as intraspecific variations. The condition of 29 pectoral-fin rays on right side of our specimen is higher than other known specimens (26-27).
in having a blotch situated at the anterior most dorsal-fin rays (vs. blotch absent;
<bibRefCitationid="FFFD07A52F8F02745F6B84DE0A59245C"author="Nielsen, JG"journalOrPublisher="Galathea Report"pageId="0"pageNumber="243"pagination="5 - 104"refId="B4"refString="Nielsen, JG, 2002. Revision of the Indo-Pacific species of Neobythites (Teleostei, Ophidiidae), with 15 new species. Galathea Report 19: 5 - 104"title="Revision of the Indo-Pacific species of Neobythites (Teleostei, Ophidiidae), with 15 new species."volume="19"year="2002">Nielsen 2002</bibRefCitation>
; this study); dorsal-fin rays 88-92 (vs. 99-106); anal-fin rays 73-75 (vs. 83-92); total vertebrae 52-54 (vs. 57-62).
