A new species of Apterichtus (Anguilliformes: Ophichthidae) from the Marquesas Islands

Researchers have identified a new species of finless ophichthid eel, Apterichtus succinus sp. nov., from the Marquesas Islands, part of Te Henua Enata UNESCO World Heritage Site. This discovery was based on a single specimen and distinguishes A. succinus through several key morphological traits: it has more preopercular pores (4 vs. 3), fewer preanal vertebrae (54 vs. 56-63), a single tooth on the prevomer (generally absent in related species), a shorter head, and larger spots on its head and nape. The new species closely resembles A. klazingai but differs significantly in these characteristics. This brings the total recognized Apterichtus species from the Marquesas Islands to three: A. succinus, A. klazingai, and A. mysi.

HIBINO, Y., McCOSKER, J. E., & KIMURA, S. (2016). A new species of Apterichtus (Anguilliformes: Ophichthidae) from the Marquesas Islands. Zootaxa, 4117(1). https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4117.1.10