New Moray Eel Species of Strophidon genus (Muraenidae) from Vietnam

Abstract

A new species, Strophidon dawydoffi sp. n., from Nha Trang Bay (South China Sea, Vietnam) was described. The new species is well distinguished from the cooccurring S. sathete species by a thinner and elongated body, tail lobiform-extended at the end, external absence of vertical fins, a much smaller number of preanal vertebrae, elongated vertebral centra in the middle portion of the caudal region of the vertebral column, the structure of neural arches and parapophyses, variegated coloring of the body and oral cavity, a larger number of teeth in the inner rows on maxillare and dentale, and two or three rows of papillae on the lips. Differences in the number of infraorbital pores and in the shape of the snout between S. sathete specimens are associated with individual variability.