<i>Neobythites nanhaiensis</i> sp. nov. (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the South China Sea, with morphology, mitogenome, and its phylogenetic position.

ABSTRACT: Neobythites nanhaiensis sp. nov., a new cusk eel species from the South China Sea, is described based on 14 specimens collected at a depth of 400 m near Nan'an Reef. This species is readily distinguished from all congeners by the unique presence of two (rarely three) distinct black ocelli on the mid-flank, a trait absent in all other Neobythites species. It further lacks stripes, fin ocelli, or dark fin margins. The meristic features include dorsal-fin rays 107 (90-115), anal-fin rays 93 (80-94), pectoral-fin rays 25 (21-27), total vertebrae 62 (58-64), and 9-11 developed gill rakers. The complete mitochondrial genome (17,287 bp) was sequenced, exhibiting the typical vertebrate structure with an A+T bias of 55.1%. Phylogenetic analyses based on both the COI gene

SUBMITTER: Chen JJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12924049 | biostudies-literature | 2026

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature