Taxonomy of the deep‐sea eel genus, Histiobranchus (Synaphobranchidae, Anguilliformes), with notes on the ecology of H. bathybius in the eastern North Atlantic

Abstract

The eel genus Histiobranchus Gill occurs benthopelagically over the continental rise and abyss of the World Ocean, primarily beneath temperate and subpolar surface waters. Its generic status within the subfamily Synaphobranchinae is confirmed by comparison of the structure and topography of its cephalic sensory system and skeletal features with Synaphobranchus. At least three species of Histiobranchus are recognized: H. bathybius (panoceanic), H. bruuni (Tasman Sea and waters south‐east of New Zealand) and H. australis (two geographical forms; South Atlantic and south‐western Indian Ocean, and South Indo‐West Pacific Oceans). Collections totalling 319 specimens of H. bathybius from the eastern North Atlantic (1790–5440 m depth) yielded a size range of 99–1370 mm total length (LT), with no apparent sexual dimorphism. Length–frequency distributions indicate a mode of juvenile fish at around 100–200 mm LT and a further two around 600–700 and 1300–1400 mm LT among adults. Generally smaller fish occur in shallower regions, although the size range is broad over the whole depth range. No apparent trend occurs in the size distribution with latitude over the range 17–54) N. Females outnumber males (1 male : 1·7 females) and both sexes are largely distinguishable from 300 mm LT. Ripening eggs occur in females from both adult length modes, with running ripe and spent females of very different size indicating iteroparity.