A REVIEW OF THE INDO-WEST PACIFIC CONGRID FISHES OF GENERA RHYNCHOCONGER AND BATHYCONGRUS WITH THE DESCRIPTION OF THREE NEW SPECIES

Abstract

ABSTRACT Two species of the genus Rhynchoconger are recognized from the Indo-West Pacific, namely R. ectenurus (Jordan & Richardson, 1909) and R. trewavasae n.sp. The new species was found in the Gulf of Aqaba (Red Sea) and one specimen was obtained from the Mediterranean coast of Israel. Eight species of the genus Bathycongrus (often referred to as Congrina or Rhechias) are described, among them two new species: B. baranesi found in the Philippines, Japan, and Mozambique; and B. randalli known from the Philippines, South China Sea, and northwestern Australia. B. guttulatus (Gunther, 1887) is a senior synonym of Congermuraena aequorea Gilbert & Kramer, 1897 and of Bathycongrus me galops Fowler, 1934. Its distribution extends from Hawaii, Fiji, New Caledonia, northwestern Australia, and the Philippines to the Gulf of Aden. B. nasicus (Alcock, 1893) designated by Ogilby (1898) as the type of the genus, is known from the Bay of Bengal, Gulf of Aden, and Arabian Sea. B. macrocercus (Alcock, 1894) is known fro...