A new species of the cave-fish genus Lucifuga (Ophidiiformes, Bythitidae), from eastern Cuba.

ABSTRACT: Recently, a barcoding study and a molecular phylogenetic analysis of the Cuban species of the cave-fish genus Lucifuga Poey, 1858 revealed the existence of different evolutionary lineages that were previously unknown or passed unnoticed by morphological scrutiny (i.e., cryptic candidate species). In the present study, Lucifuga gibarensis is described as a new species restricted to anchialine caves in the northeastern karst region of the main island. The species was earlier described as a variety of Lucifuga dentata, but since the name was introduced as a variety after 1960, it is deemed to be infrasubspecific and unavailable according to the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature Art. 15.2. The new species differs from L. dentata by pigmented eyes vs. eye

SUBMITTER: Hernandez D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7358250 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature