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The rare deepsea ophidiid genus Leucicorus was described by Garman (1899) based on L. lusciosus Garman, 1899 caught in the East Pacific. Until 1973 only three additional specimens were caught of which two from the East Pacific belong to L. lusciosus and one from off Hawaiʽi is an undescribed species here described as L. lentibus n. sp. In 1973 a Soviet expedition to the Caribbean Sea trawled 18 specimens from abyssal and hadal depths and based on this material a second Leucicorus species was described, L. atlanticus Nielsen, 1975. Since then eight Leucicorus specimens from the Indo-Pacific and Atlantic Oceans have been caught of which two from the West Atlantic belong to a new species, L. gerringerae n. sp., herein described, four to L. atlanticus and two remain as Leucicorus sp. About 35 demersal Leucicorus specimens have been observed and photographed by ROV (remotely operated vehicle) at depths of 3804-5768 meters in the Pacific Ocean.

A new species of the rare, deep-sea genus Sciadonus Garman, 1899 (Bythitidae) is described based on two specimens obtained by the Brazilian R/V Alpha Crucis on the continental slope off São Paulo State, Southeastern Brazil, western South Atlantic. It differs from its congeners by the combination of the following characters: body pale lacking dark pigmentation except for on female claspers; a pair of dermal tissue flaps anteriorly on lower jaw; pelvic-fin rays present; precaudal vertebrae 39 or 40 and total vertebrae 74 or 75. The key to the species of Sciadonus is updated. A discussion of the presence and differentiation between troglomorphic and miniature characteristics among the species in the aphyonid clade is provided and compared with other bythitids.

Measurement of lung clearance index (LCI) by multiple breath washout (MBW) is a sensitive method for monitoring lung disease in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). To compare nitrogen MBW (N2-MBW) and sulfur hexafluoride MBW (SF6-MBW), we connected these two gas analysis systems in series to obtain truly simultaneous measurements, with no differences other than the gas used. Nonsmoking healthy controls (HC) and subjects with CF were recruited at two institutions. The Exhalyzer-D (for N2-MBW measurement) was connected in series with the Innocor (for SF6-MBW measurement). Subjects washed in SF6 from a Douglas bag with tidal breathing and washed out SF6 and nitrogen with 100% oxygen provided as bias flow. Washout of both gases was continued past the LCI point (1/40th of equilibration concentration) in triplicate. N2-MBW resulted in higher cumulative exhaled volume, functional residual capacity (FRC), and LCI when compared with SF6-derived parameters in HC subjects ( P < 0.0001 for all comparisons). All N2-MBW parameters were also significantly higher than SF6-MBW parameters in subjects with CF ( P < 0.01 for all comparisons). After recalculation with a common FRC, N2-MBW LCI was higher than SF6-MBW LCI in subjects with CF (19.73 vs. 11.39; P < 0.0001) and in HC (8.12 vs. 6.78; P < 0.0001). Adjusting for N2 back diffusion and an offset error in the nitrogen measurement resulted in near complete agreement between the two methodologies. We found significant differences in LCI and FRC measurements using two different gases for MBW. This may have significant implications for the future use and interpretation of LCI data in clinical trials and routine clinical care. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study provides important insights into the differences between the two techniques used for measuring lung clearance index (LCI): N2 and SF6 multiple breath washout. Differences between measurements made by these two methods in subjects with cystic fibrosis and healthy controls could be explained by nitrogen back diffusion and N2 offset error. This is important for use and interpretation of LCI data as an outcome measure for clinical trials and in routine clinical care.

Aphyonids are poorly-known, live-bearing brotulas (Ophidiiformes, Bythitidae) that until recently were considered to be in a distinct family, Aphyonidae. A single, ca. 9.3 cm total length aphyonid observed during a remotely-operated vehicle survey in the Mariana Archipelago at 2504.2 m on Explorer Ridge (20.68152°N, 145.08750°E) is the first seen alive in its natural habitat. Collection to verify its identification was not possible, but based on observations it was a species of either Barathronus or Nybelinella. The fish swam 1–10 cm over sediment between rocks and small boulders on a 45° talus slope. Swimming speeds were consistently slow, 0.33 ± 0.15 body lengths per second, and the fish appeared to be neutrally buoyant. Although there are few other records of aphyonid-clade fishes in the Pacific away from continental margins, this observation suggests that they will be found elsewhere in the basin when appropriate methods are used to detect these small fishes in the high-relief, rugose habitats of central Pacific oceanic islands and seamounts.

Fishes are widely diverse in shape and body size and can quite rapidly undergo these changes. Consequently, some relationships are not clearly resolved with morphological analyses. In the case of fishes of small body size, informative characteristics can be absent due to simplification of body structures. The Parabrotulidae, a small family of diminutive body size consisting of two genera and three species has most recently been classified as either a perciform within the suborder Zoarcoidei or an ophidiiform. Classification of parabrotulids as ophidiiforms has become predominant; however the Parabrotulidae has not yet been investigated in a molecular phylogenetic framework. We examine molecular data from ten genetic loci to more specifically place the Parabrotulidae within the fish tree of life. In a hypothesis testing framework, the Parabrotulidae as a zoarcoid taxon is rejected. Previous identity with zoarcoids due to the one fin ray for each vertebra being present, a characteristic for the Zoarcidae, appears to be an example of convergence. Our results indicate that parabrotulids are viviparous ophidiiforms within the family Bythitidae.

The viviparous genus Barathronus Goode & Bean, 1886 is known from 11 species. Examination of 68 specimens, not earlier published upon, and re-examination of older material have resulted in taxonomical changes and new distributions. B. unicolor Nielsen, 1984 has become a junior synonym of B. pacificus Nielsen & Eagle, 1974, now known from the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The number of specimens of B. parfaiti Vaillant, 1888 is restricted to the holotype and a specimen from off the Azores (MOM P01-0003665), often referred to B. parfaiti, represents a new species, B. roulei, herein described. B. diaphanus Brauer, 1906 is now recorded from off Madagascar eastwards to Tonga and Fiji Islands.

During voyages in 2017 off southern and southeastern Australia, the Australian Research Vessel Investigator deployed a series of demersal beam trawls to depths of around 5000 metres. Nineteen specimens of the rarely caught aphyonid-clade of the ophidiiform family Bythitidae, representing five species, were caught. Four of these are new to Australian waters: Barathronus pacificus Nielsen and Eagle, 1974 known from the northeastern and southwestern Pacific Ocean, Paraphyonus bolini (Nielsen, 1974) known from the western Indian and western Pacific Oceans, Paraphyonus rassi (Nielsen, 1975) known from the Atlantic Ocean and Sciadonus pedicellaris Garman, 1899, known from the northeastern Atlantic and northeastern and southwestern Pacific Oceans. Also included are Aphyonus gelatinosus Günther, 1878 known from all oceans including ten specimens from Australian waters, Barathronus maculatus Shcherbachev, 1976 known from South Africa to the westernmost Pacific including 13 specimens from Australian waters, Sciadonus longiventralis Nielsen, 2018 known from the holotype collected off New South Wales and finally Barathronus algrahami n. sp. known from the holotype caught off South Australia and four paratypes from off Taiwan and northern Philippines. Close examination of specimens collected during recent voyages combined with recent and ongoing studies by the first author and DNA COI barcoding analysis enabled an assessment of the aphyonid-clade species hitherto recorded from Australian waters. An identification key to the eight aphyonid clade species known from Australian waters is provided.

In situ images and/or collection of seven specimens by underwater-vehicle dives at 269–609 m depth off Curacao, Dominica, and Puerto Rico (S, E, and NE Caribbean) revealed new records and a previously unknown, distinctive color pattern for the cuskeel Neobythites unicolor (Ophidiidae). Species identification was based on detailed comparisons with earlier studied type and non-type material using morphometric, meristic, and otolith-form characters. A revised color description is provided based on images of live specimens in situ in their habitat, shortly after capture, and after preservation. Live and fresh specimens of Neobythites unicolor show a large number of distinctive, dark, rounded or irregularly shaped spots distributed dorsally on head, dorsal portion of body, and on the dorsal fin. This color pattern fades when fish are frozen, and it is completely lost during preservation over several years. The available images of fresh color patterns indicate an increase in spot size with fish size. In addition, some of the quantitatively examined morphometric and otolith characters of museum specimens show positive allometry. No geographic variation in color patterns could be detected. Although the Curacao population is separated from all other known populations of N. unicolor by at least 650 km, the only population difference found was a slightly lower pectoral-fin ray count for the four specimens collected off Curacao. An updated distribution map is provided correcting for an erroneous record in the inner Gulf of Mexico from which N. unicolor appears to be completely absent. While the spotted color pattern described here is unique among the 54 species of Neobythites, a similar pattern occurs in two other genera of the subfamily Neobythitinae, Sirembo and Spottobrotula. Further requirements to more fully understand the color diversity and related biology, ecology, and evolution in the species-rich genus Neobythites are emphasized.

This article comprise the data related to the research article (Møller et al., 2016) [1], and makes it possible to explore and reproduce the topologies that allowed [1] to infer the relationship between the families Bythitidae and Dinematichthyidae. The supplementary data holds nexus-input files for the Bayesian analysis and the ‘.xml’-input files – with and without nucleotide data – that are used in the fossil-calibrated phylogenetic analysis with a relaxed clock model. The resulting topologies are provided as ‘.new’-files together with a characters matrix file for traits to trace across the inferred phylogenies. Keywords: Bythitinae, Aphyonidae, pedomorphism, Coral reef fishes, Deepsea fishes, Cave fishes

The order Ophidiiformes is a large but not very well known group of fishes, unique among teleosts for showing high diversity in both deep sea and shallow reef habitats. The current classification includes more than 500 species, 115 genera and four families, based primarily on mode of reproduction: viviparous Aphyonidae and Bythitidae vs oviparous Carapidae and Ophidiidae. Since 2004 we revised the bythitid tribe Dinematichthyini, described more than 100 new species and noticed that this group has unique morphological characters, perhaps supporting a higher level of classification than the current status. Here we study the viviparous families phylogenetically with partial mitochondrial (nd4, 16s) and nuclear (Rag1) DNA sequences (2194bp). We use a fossil calibration of otolith-based taxa to calibrate the age of the clade comprising bythitid and dinematicththyid representatives, together with fossil calibrations adopted from previous phylogenetic studies. The separation of the order into two major lineages, the viviparous Bythitoidei and the oviparous Ophidioidei is confirmed. At the familial level, however, a new classification is presented for the viviparous clades, placing Aphyonidae as a derived, pedomorphic member of Bythitidae (new diagnosis provided, 33 genera and 118 species). The current subfamily Brosmophycinae is considered polyphyletic and we propose family status for Dinematichthyidae (25 genera, 114 species), supported by unique, morphological synapomorphic characters in the male copulatory apparatus. Previous use of the caudal fin separation or fusion with vertical fins is ambiguous. Age estimates based on calibrated molecular phylogeny agrees with fossil data, giving an origin within the Cretaceous (between 84 and 104mya) for a common ancestor to Ophidiiformes.

Although the Greenland fish fauna has been studied for more than 200 years, new species continue to be discovered. We here take the opportunity of the International Polar Year 2007–08 (IPY) to present an updated check-list of the fishes of Greenland and discuss whether the growing diversity can be explained by global warming. A total of 269 species from 80 families are known from the Greenland Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), based on published literature and specimens in museum collections. Since the latest publication covering all known Greenland fishes [Nielsen & Bertelsen 1992], 57 species have been added. Nineteen of these (Harriotta raleighana, Centroscymnus coelolepis, Bathytroctes microlepis, Einara edentula, Ceratoscopelus maderensis, Argyropelecus gigas, Maurolicus muelleri, Polyipnus asteroides, Nansenia oblita, Melanostomias bartonbeani, Polymetme corythaeola, Coryphaenoides mediterraneus, Merlangius merlangus, Guttigadus latifrons, Entelurus aequoreus, Helicolenus dactylopterus, Epigonus telescopus, Lophius piscatorius, Linophryne bicornis) are reported here for the first time. Twenty-nine of the species were added on the basis of taxonomic revisions and/ or identification of specimens caught before 1992, whereas 28 species have been caught in Greenland waters for the first time since 1992. Ten species were new to science described since 1992. Only five of the added species are Arctic – i.e. mainly caught north of the Davis and Denmark Straits. Of the 28 species caught after 1992, five species (Maurolicus muelleri, Merlangius merlangus, Helicolenus dactylopterus, Lophius piscatorius, Entelurus aequoreus) from the southern regions (Atlantic) are mainly from shallow waters (< 400 m) and their arrival is likely to be a result of increasing temperatures. The explanation of the many new records of deep-water fishes is most likely increasing fishing efforts down to depths of 1500 m. The deep waters off Greenland (> 1500 m), however, remain almost unstudied.

This review was motivated by the recent collection of a specimen of the specious cuskeel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae) off Myanmar and difficulties to identify it based on the available literature. This specimen has an ocellus consisting of a dark oval spot and a concentric white ring placed on the dorsal fin at mid-body, typical for many Neobythites species. It belongs to a group of single-ocellus bearing species which have no or only one weakly developed, flat preopercular spine which we term here the “steatiticus-species group”. Before this study, the steatiticus group consisted of six Indo-Pacific species, N. longipes, N. malhaensis, N. malayanus, N. meteori, N. steatiticus, and N. stefanovi, and the Atlantic N. monocellatus. From 136 specimens representing the six Indo-Pacific steatiticus-group species counts or measurements of 12 meristic, 14 body shape, five ocellus and six otolith characters were obtained and compared, revealing two undescribed species. We describe N. gloriae n. sp. from the Arabian Gulf and inner Gulf of Oman based on nine specimens that had been previously misidentified as N. steatiticus and N. stefanovi. The latter species differ from the new species and from each other in the combination of five characters, head length, orbit length, gill-filament length, ocellus-spot distance, and ocellus-spot size. The second new species described is N. lombokensis n. sp. which consists of a single specimen from off SE Lombok, southern Indonesia. It differs from all other steatiticus-group species in having a larger ocellus spot and in several meristic and morphometric characters. The specimen from off Myanmar, eastern Bay of Bengal, was found to belong to N. steatiticus, providing new information on distribution and colour. Diagnoses, updated distribution information, and a key for the eight Indo-Pacific steatiticus-group species are here presented. We discuss our findings with special emphasis on the variation and possible function of colour patterns in Neobythites, being important for understanding the ecology and evolution of this specious genus.

The genus Nybelinella belongs to the aphyonid clade within the Bythitidae. This mainly abyssal genus is known from 30 specimens. The present revision is based on 24 specimens, of which a scientific examination of four specimens has been published earlier. As a consequence, the generic diagnosis from Nielsen et al. (1999) is here modified. Of the 24 specimens 22 are referred to N. erikssoni (Nybelin, 1957), one to N. brevidorsalis Shcherbachev, 1976 and one to a new species, N. brevianalis n. sp., herein described.

This chapter describes the taxonomy of fish eggs and larvae. Most fish eggs and larvae are planktonic, and are commonly found in plankton net tows. Collectively these fish stages are referred to as ichthyoplankton. The chapter covers their life cycle, ecology, and general morphology. It includes a section that indicates the systematic placement of the taxon described within the tree of life, and lists the key marine representative illustrated in the chapter (usually to genus or family level). This section also provides information on the taxonomic authorities responsible for the classification adopted, recent changes which might have occurred, and lists relevant taxonomic sources.

Nitrogen diffuses from blood into lung during nitrogen washout which can affect multiple breath washout results http://ow.ly/9dcy30dOuwZ

A new bythitid fish, Timorichthys angustus, is described on the basis of a single specimen (52 mm in standard length, SL) collected from the East China Sea, Japan. The genus Timorichthys Nielsen and Schwarzhans 2011 was only known from the holotype of the type species Timorichthys disjunctus Nielsen and Schwarzhans 2011 caught in the Timor Sea. The new species differs from T. disjunctus in several characters, such as the pectoral fin peduncle being much longer than its width (vs. equal in T. disjunctus), precaudal vertebrae 22 (vs. 16), total vertebrae 62 (vs. 52), long rakers on the first gill arch 14 (vs. 6), horizontal eye diameter 3.1 % SL (vs. 1.3 % SL), interorbital width 0.8 % SL (vs. 3.3 % SL), posterior mandibular pore absent (vs. present), anterior infraorbital pores 1 (vs. 3), opercular spine not covered by skin (vs. covered by skin), otolith height to thickness 2.5 (vs. 1.8), and head and body light brown in alcohol (vs. dark brown).

A new abyssal ophidiid fish, Abyssobrotula hadropercularis, is described on the basis of two specimens caught at two stations at ca. 5000 meters of depth in the Kuril-Kamchatka Trench. The genus Abyssobrotula Nielsen, 1977 was previously known from the type species, A. galatheae Nielsen, 1977 of which 40-50 specimens now are reported from all oceans at depths greater than 2000 m. One of the specimens from the Puerto Rico Trench captured at 8370 m is still the deepest record for fishes. The new species differs from A. galatheae in having great number of pectoral-fin rays 14-15 (vs 10-11); greater eye diameter (1.2-1.3% SL vs 0.7-0.9% SL); larger prepelvic 14.0-14.5% SL (vs 10.5-12.5% SL) and preanal lengths 42.5% SL (vs 33.0-41.5% SL); opercular spine strongly developed (vs poorly developed); gill rakers on anterior arch robust and close-set (vs rakers thin and well separated). The description of A. hadropercularis makes it necessary to slightly modify the generic diagnosis.

Following recent systematic revisions of Anderson (2005, 2007), seven species of the viviparous genus Microbrotula (Teleostei: Bythitidae) have been described, all from the Indo-west Pacific Ocean. Six of these species are here recognised as valid: M. bentleyi, M. greenfieldi, M. punicea, M. queenslandica, M. randalli and M. rubra. Microbrotula polyactis is regarded as a junior synonym of M. bentleyi. Two additional new species, M. andersoni and M. hamata, obtained from Christmas Island (eastern Indian Ocean) and New Caledonia, respectively, are described herein. The main specific characters distinguishing the new species are the number of precaudal vertebrae, numbers of pectoral, caudal and dorsal fin rays, number and distribution of head pores, number and distribution of sensory papillae on the head and lateral line, presence or absence of a (mostly hidden) curved spine at the lower angle of the preopercle, and otolith morphology. The limits of the genus Microbrotula are redefined and the genus is compared with other shallow water bythitine genera. Calamopteryx is regarded as the genus that is most closely related to Microbrotula. As a result of the redefinition of Microbrotula, one of its previously assigned species, M. randalli, is placed in a new genus, Ematops, characterised by the head pore pattern, unique presence of scales partly covering the eye, number of precaudal vertebrae, number of pectoral and caudal fin rays and the otolith proportion.

The bathyal genus Penopus (Ophidiidae) is revised based on 23 specimens. One specimen from the Ryukyu Trench represents a new species, Penopus japonicus. The remaining 22 specimens were found on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, and neither 28 meristic and morphometric characters nor several morphological characters show any differences between the two populations. This supports Seret (1988), who considered Penopus macdonaldi Goode and Bean 1896 a junior synonym of Penopus microphthalmus (Vaillant 1888). The new Japanese species can be separated from the Atlantic species by having fewer rays in the dorsal (117 vs. 135–158) and anal (89 vs. 106–122) fins, the squamation of the head restricted to the middle part of the preopercle versus the squamation covering the dorsum, preopercle and the opercle in part, a distinct spine behind the posterior nostril versus the spine hardly visible and 9 spines on the hind margin of the preopercle versus 4–7 spines.

We report the presence of an aglomerular kidney in the pelagic deep-sea fish Saccopharynx ampullaceus (Saccopharyngiformes: Saccopharyngidae). The thin kidney is unpaired and ribbon-like rostrally, while it is thicker caudally with a rod-like shape. Light microscopic observation of serial sections revealed no glomeruli at all. The kidney is composed of renal tubules, sinusoids and capillaries of the renal portal system and extensive interstitial lymphoid tissues. Each renal tubule is surrounded by well-developed renal portal sinusoids, and the tubules are well separated from each other. There is a large space dorsal to the vertebrae, similar to the situation in the closely related Eurypharynx pelecanoides. We consider that S. ampullaceus possesses an aglomerular kidney to gain neutral buoyancy. The urinary bladder of S. ampullaceus is a distinct vesicular structure, unlike that of E. pelecanoides.

A new species of the viviparous fish genus Grammonus (Ophidiiformes: Bythitidae) is described, based on two ripe males, 32-55 mm SL. They were caught over a muddy bottom in a shrimp trawl at 70-119 m off Central Vietnam. A comparison with the nine hitherto described Grammonus species shows them to be clearly distinct from other species. Except for G. ater, G. minutus differs from all other species by having either more or fewer dorsal (75-76) and anal (54-55) fin rays. It differs from G. ater i.a. by having more pectoral fin rays (22-23 vs. 18-19).

The systematics of the abyssal giant cusk-eel genus Spectrunculus was revised, based on the examination of 55 specimens recently collected from the northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge and 32 specimens from earlier collections in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The conclusion of Nielsen and Hureau that only one sexually dimorphic species, S. grandis, exists, is rejected. The examination of meristics, external and internal morphometric characters, and body coloration allows the distinction between two species, requiring the resurrection of S. crassus. The major diagnostic characters are: number of dorsal-fin rays (135–148 in S. grandis vs. 121–139 in S. crassus), anal-fin rays (101–112 vs. 91–102), total vertebrae (77–88 vs. 71–78), otolith ostium depth in percentage of sulcus length (19–29% vs. 30–40%), and maximum standard length (

A new species of the fish genus Grammonus (Ophidiiformes: Bythitidae) is described based on a ripe female, 98 mm in standard length (SL). It was caught at the bottom of a cave at a depth of 20 m under lightless conditions in Ie-shima Island, one of the Ryukyu Islands. A comparison to the seven described species of Grammonus shows the greatest similarity to the widely distributed G. robustus, but G. yunokawai n. sp. differs from it by having fewer vertebrae (41 vs. 44–47), a greater predorsal length (41.5 vs. 32.0–39.0% SL), higher posterior margin of maxilla (8.4 vs. 5.6–7.3% SL), and greater interorbital width (10.5 vs. 5.9–7.6% SL).

The cosmopolitan, deep sea, aphyonid genus Aphyonus is known from less than 100 specimens. The type species A. gelatinosus Günther, 1878 and three additional valid species, A. brevidorsalis Nielsen, 1969, A. bolini Nielsen, 1974, and A. rassi Nielsen, 1975 were all based on single specimens. Since then several specimens have been caught of which 52 are examined for the present revision. Most of the specimens are referred to A. gelatinosus but also to A. bolini and A. rassi. A result of the enlarged material is that the type species, A. gelatinosus, is found to differ so much from the remaining species that a new genus, Paraphyonus, is established for these species. Furthermore two new species of Paraphyonus are here described, P. iselini based on six specimens from the tropical northwestern Atlantic Ocean and P. merretti based on three specimens from the northeastern Atlantic Ocean. The present knowledge of the variation of the Paraphyonus species makes it relevant to transfer Barathronus solomonensis NielsenMøller, 2008 to this genus.

Currently, three of the seven described species of Sirembo Bleeker, 1858 and both species of Spottobrotula Cohen & Nielsen, 1978 are considered valid. The present revision is based on 73 specimens of Sirembo known from the Red Sea to Japan and southwards to off northwestern Australia and northern New South Wales and 19 specimens of Spottobrotula known from the Persian Gulf to the Mozambique Channel and from the Andaman Sea. The main characters separating the two genera are the number of long rakers on the anterior gill arch and the form of the sagittal otolith. Based on this distinction Spottobrotula amaculata Cohen & Nielsen, 1982 is transferred to Sirembo. While newly caught specimens can easily be identified by their colour pattern, preserved material requires identification based on meristic and morphometric characters. Three new species are herein described, Sirembo wami, Spottobrotula mossambica and Spottobrotula persica, while Sirembo jerdoni is reported for the first time from Vietnam. These and all other species of the two genera can be identified by combining number of long gill rakers, number of pseudobranchial filaments, number of pectoral fin rays, number and size of scales between dorsal fin origin and lateral line, and prepelvic and pelvic fin length in per cent of SL. The distinction from other genera is discussed.

A new species of Barathronus (Ophidiiformes: Aphyonidae) is described from a single, mature male specimen (101 mm SL) bottom trawled on the continental slope of Rio Grande do Norte, northeastern Brazil, between 1,964 and 2,045 m depth. The new species is diagnosed among congeners by the following combination of characters: peritoneum transparent, deep-set eyes not visible, eight fangs on vomer, anal fin rays 69, predorsal length 42.0% SL, preanal length 49.5% SL, penis long, slender, and lacking a pair of lobes at its base, and presence of a ventral flexure of the anterior 2-3 vertebrae. Additionally, morphological data of three specimens of Barathronus bicolor collected in Brazilian waters are presented and compared with those from 51 specimens from the western Central Atlantic. Uma nova espécie de Barathronus (Ophidiiformes: Aphyonidae) é descrita a partir de um único exemplar macho (101 mm CP) coletado com arrasto de fundo no talude continental do Rio Grande do Norte, nordeste do Brasil, entre 1.964 e 2.045 m de profundidade. A espécie nova é diagnosticada entre as congêneres pela seguinte combinação de caracteres: peritônio transparente, olhos alojados profundamente e não distinguíveis, oito presas no vômer, nadadeira anal com 69 raios, comprimento pré-dorsal 42,0% CP, comprimento pré-anal 49,5% CP, pênis longo, afilado e sem um par de lobos em sua base, e presença de flexão ventral nas 2-3 vértebras anteriores. Adicionalmente, dados morfológicos dos três espécimes de Barathronus bicolor coletados em águas brasileiras são apresentados e comparados com aqueles de 51 espécimes do Atlântico Central ocidental.

Based on the examination of almost 1200 specimens representing 50 species of the secondary deep-sea fish genus Neobythites (family Ophidiidae), this study provides an overview of body coloration and a detailed comparison among species that have typical ocelli or eyespots consisting of a dark spot surrounded by a contrasting pale ring on their dorsal fins. Special interest concerns the possible functions of ocelli as antipredator and social signaling devices and the hypothesis that species differences in ocellus size and position are more pronounced in areas of overlap. Color patterns were found in 78% and ocelli in 44% of the Neobythites species. The 22 ocellus-bearing species occur at shallower depths than those without. Ocellus number varied between one and four ocelli with single-ocellus-bearing species reaching shallower minimum depths than those with multiples. Variation in both ocellus size and position was found among co-occurring species with a single ocellus. For instance, the Northern Indian Ocean population of N. stefanovi differs in ocellus position from the co-occurring N. steatiticus, while the allopatric Red Sea population of N. stefanovi does not. This evidence of character displacement is also supported by the marked difference in ocellus position and size between two specimens of N. meteori that were collected widely separated from each other and co-occurring with two other single-ocellus-bearing species in the Pacific and Indian Ocean, respectively. Ocelli in Neobythites may therefore serve antipredator as well as social communication functions.

A new bythitid genus and species, Tuamotuichthys bispinosus, is described from an adult male (88 mm SL), caught by dredge in 1990, off Morane Atoll, Tuamotu Archipelago (23°08″43″ S, 137°09″19″ W, 536 m). It is characterized by having large scales on head and body, two opercular spines, few gill rakers (total 11, 3 of them long), depressed head, vertically expanded posterior maxilla, and a short predorsal (29% SL), each of which resembles several known genera (Calamopteryx, Cataetyx, Diplacanthopoma, Grammonus, and Lucifuga). The combination of character states, however, does not fit any of the known bythitid genera.

Analysis of the “Dana” collection of larval fishes yielded 36 exterilium larvae and 17 rubaniform larvae, referable to the Ophidiidae. Both larval types reach large sizes before transformation and are characterized by an exterilium gut, although it is less strongly expressed in rubaniform larvae. Both have early-forming, elongate, descending processes of the coracoid that serve to support the trailing intestines. Both have a greatly reduced pelvic girdle attached to a stalklike cartilaginous structure, resulting in a pelvic fin origin well posterior to the cleithral symphysis, a position that is without precedent in the family Ophidiidae. Both of these larval types also strongly display an anterior to posterior developmental sequence, lose the pelvic fin rays at transformation, and have extraordinarily elongate proximal radials supporting their dorsal and anal fins and modified proximal radials supporting the anterior dorsal fin rays. After examination of these larvae and reference to 5 previously described exterilium larvae and 1 previously described rubaniform larva, we conclude that they belong to Lamprogrammus (three species) and Brotulotaenia (four species), respectively. The most recent classification of the Ophidiidae places Brotulotaenia in the monotypic subfamily Brotulotaeniinae, and Lamprogrammus in the subfamily Neobythitinae along with 37 other genera. The latter subfamily is an unwieldy assemblage for which monophyly has never been established. Ontogenetic evidence suggests a closer relationship between Brotulotaenia and Lamprogrammus, and the most economical reorganization of the ophidiids would involve incorporating the latter genus into the Brotulotaeniinae.

To the Editor: A recent editorial in the European Respiratory Journal [1] recognises that the fundamental scientific data on lung clearance index (LCI) obtained by sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) multiple-breath washout (MBW) have paved the way for clinical use of LCI. Although the editorial stresses the need for standardisation, it also appears to suggest that SF6 can be replaced by nitrogen (N2) as the washout gas. We (Innovision ApS, Odense, Denmark) are the manufacturer of the AMIS 2000 medical mass spectrometer system that, using user-specific software and hardware, was adapted to perform MBW. The AMIS 2000-based devices are now considered the “gold standard” device for SF6 LCI measurements in cystic fibrosis patients by opinion leaders in the field [2]. This device has been used in the vast majority of studies demonstrating the clinical value of SF6 LCI in cystic fibrosis patients, with one recent notable exception: the demonstration of the change in LCI caused by Ivacaftor in cystic fibrosis patients with normal forced expiratory volume in 1 s, where a prototype version of our other system, Innocor, adapted for open-circuit SF6 LCI, was used [3]. The AMIS 2000 adapted MBW system is too …

Geografisk Tidsskrift, Danish Journal of Geography 1998: 20–30. The present paper discusses some preliminary results from a field experiment on sediment transport and morphological change on a beach subjected to storm surge activity. The data were collected at the barrier spit of Skallingen during October/November 1996. This period was characterized by a succession of storms which resulted in high water and wave energy levels, culminating in a storm surge per se. The beach and the dune ramp eroded; however, contrary to expectations, a subtidal bar migrated onshore and the intertidal swash bar appeared to display a cyclic behaviour dependent upon strong linkages between morphology and hydrodynamics. Morphological changes in the intertidal zone were primarily accomplished by mean currents with oscillatory motions playing a subordinate role. Longshore sediment transport measured during conditions with moderately strong winds blowing alongshore, was dominated by wave-induced currents with aeolian tra...

Following the recent revision of Microbrotula (Schwarzhans & Nielsen, 2011), an additional nine specimens of the vivi-parous genus Microbrotula (Teleostei: Bythitidae), all caught in the Cenderawasih Bay, Irian Jaya, New Guinea, Indone-sia, were made available to us. These specimens represent a new species described here as M. geraldalleni. It belongs tothe group of species with 6 caudal and 14 pectoral fin rays and is closest to M. greenfieldi, differing in the higher dorsaland anal fin ray counts (68–73 and 61–65 vs. 62–70 and 58–61, respectively), the presence of 3 posterior mandibular pores(vs. none), 2–3 preopercular pores (vs. none), a connected squamation over the head including cheek, opercle and occiput(vs. 3 separated scale patches) and with a unique scale-less triangular window just above the opercle. Microbrotula geraldalleni may be endemic to the Cenderawasih Bay.

A new species,Saccopharynx berteli, is described from one specimen collected in the Central Pacific Ocean. It differs from the other nine species in the genus in morphometric characters, principally including the extreme elongation of the caudal region (88.5% of TL) compared with 71–82% in the other species.

Open access article Three species of the ophidiid genus Neobythites containing ocelli in the dorsal fin are known from the West Atlantic: Neobythites gilli Goode and Bean 1885, N. ocellatus Günther 1887 and N. monocellatus Nielsen 1999. In the year 2000, 18 specimens of Neobythites were caught on the upper continental slope off eastern Brazil. This is the first documented record of a Neobythites specimen off Brazil since the holotype of N. ocellatus was caught in 1873. Seventeen of the specimens are referable to N. ocellatus and one to N. monocellatus. Until now the distribution of N. ocellatus was considered to be from off Atlantic Florida, the Caribbean Sea and then a gap of 4500 km to the type locality off Brazil. However, the holotype and the 17 specimens differ from the more northerly recorded specimens in pattern and number of spots and ocelli on the dorsal fin. The 18 Brazilian specimens have two distinct ocelli, one near the origin of the dorsal fin and one above the midpoint of the fish, and further back occasionally a small, black spot, while the northern specimens occasionally have a small, black spot near the origin of the fin, a distinct ocellus above the midpoint and up to three ocelli further posteriorly. Consequently a new species, N. multiocellatus, is described based on 59 specimens from the Caribbean Sea to off Atlantic Florida. The record of the N. monocellatus specimen extends its distribution about 3000 km southwards. A comparison of the four ocellus-bearing species from the West Atlantic is made.

Ventichthys biospeedoi, new species (Figs. 1-8) Ophidiidae: Geistdoerfer 1996, fig. 6. Materials Holotype: MNHN 2004-2037, 266 mm SL, male, South East Pacific Rise, hydrothermal vent site Oasis, 17°25.38’S, 113°12.29’W; BIOSPEEDO cruise, submersible Nautile, R/V Atalante, dive PL 1582, baited trap B2, depth 2586 m, 22 April 2004, collected by Michel Segonzac. Paratype: MNHN 2004-2038, 282 mm SL, sex unknown, same data as for holotype. Prior to the taxonomic examination the paratype had been eviscerated so that only the kidneys remain. Diagnosis See generic diagnosis. Description The principal meristic and morphometric characters are shown in Table 3. Where there are differences between the holo- and the paratype those of the paratype are given in brackets. Body short and compressed, snout blunt; small, oval, imbricate scales covering body, head and proximal part of dorsal, caudal, anal and pectoral fins; ca. 250 scales in a line from upper part of gill slit to base of caudal fin; dorsal fin origin above hind margin of pectoral fin, anal fin origin slightly behind midpoint of fish, pectoral fin short and rounded, and longest pelvic fin ray reaching one fourth the distance from its base to anal fin; length of head about twice in preanal length; horizontal diameter of eye 1.5 times in length of snout; anterior nostril placed midway between upper lip and posterior nostril, both nostrils with a low rim; upper jaw ending just behind eye, maxillaries partly sheathed posterodorsally; a strong opercular spine well hidden by skin; anterior gill arch (Fig. 2) with 5(3) knobs on upper branch, one long raker in the angle and lower branch with 10(9) long and 6 knobs; 65 gill filaments, longer than the long gill rakers; length of the 2 pseudobranchial filaments about half eye diameter. Dentition (Fig. 3). All teeth small and conical; premaxilla with 5 rows anteriorly at symphysis, merging into 3 rows posteriorad; vomer horseshoe-shaped, with 13(25) teeth in 2-3 rows; palatines with 6(5) rows of up to 15(19) teeth; dentary with 4 rows anteriorly at symphysis, merging into 2 rows posteriorad. One median basibranchial tooth patch with rather weak teeth. Head pores (Fig. 4). Supraorbital pores 1 placed above opercular flap (often termed “first lateral line pore” - see Møller et al., 2004, p. 145); infraorbital pores 5(3 anterior and 2 posterior), the posterior one the largest; mandibular pores 5(2 anterior and 3 posterior), the second anterior pore from both sides with joint opening, the posterior pore large with low rim; preopercular pore 1. Lateral lines (Fig. 4). Four rows of small, tube-shaped, widely separated neuromasts. A short row in front of the dorsal fin with 12(10) neuromasts, a row below the entire dorsal fin with 45(44) neuromasts, a median row from the vertical through the anal fin origin to the origin of the caudal fin with 15(14) neuromasts, and a ventral row from the vertical through the anal fin origin to origin of the caudal fin with 15(12) neuromasts. The small neuromasts are very difficult to observe having a colour similar to the body. Sagittal otolith (Fig. 5). Sagitta oval and thick, 1.5 times as long as high and 3 times as long as thick. The large sulcus is undivided and much wider anteriorly than posteriorly. The dorsal rim is flat with a pronounced postdorsal angle. Axial skeleton (Fig. 6). Tips of neural and haemal spines pointed; first neural spine half the length of second spine; vertebrae 4-9 with somewhat depressed neural spines; bases of vertebrae 5-12 enlarged; parapophyses on posterior 9 precaudal vertebrae; pleural ribs on vertebrae 3-17(3-16); epipleural ribs on vertebrae 5 through 16 (4 through 15). Internal organs. The 15 mm long and 5 mm broad testes are joined in a spindle-like shape similar to the ovaries in many other ophidiiform species. Histological sections showed, however, typical unripe testicular tissue. The kidneys are unusual by being located posterior to the thick-skinned swimbladder and by forming a large, compact, darkblue body posterior-most in the abdominal cavity (Fig. 7); histological sections of the “body” from the paratype proved to be kidney tissue. The large stomach almost reaches the anal opening and the short intestine forms four coils. One thick pyloric coecum. Coloration. After one year of preservation the specimens are light brown to whitish with bluish eyes. Photos of Ventichthys biospeedoi specimens taken in situ show a greyish coloration. Biology The holotype, a male with spindle-formed, unripe testes, does not contain any identifiable stomach contents. The paratype was eviscerated only leaving the strangely formed kidneys which may be an adaptation to the special conditions near the vents. The capture of the two specimens in a baited trap indicates a necrophagous diet. Fig. 8A shows specimens grazing on the bottom. The poorly developed teeth and the presence of 10-11 long gill rakers on the anterior arch indicate that it preys upon rather small food-items. The thick skin could be an adaptation to endure the high temperatures in the hydrothermal vent area. The same condition is found in another vent-fish, Thermichthys hollisi. The presence of a male without an intromittant organ shows that it is oviparous. Habitat The vent site Oasis is composed of active black smokers covered with the tubeworm polychaete Alvinella spp., large patches of mussels, clams and stalked cirripeds. A milky fluid diffuses from crevices and collapsed lava lakes, with clouds of swimming amphipods. The two specimens here studied were collected next to such a hole (Jollivet et al., 2004, fig. 3), surrounded by the mytilid mussel Bathymodiolus thermophilus Kenk & Wilson, 1985, the clam Calyptogena magnifica Boss & Turner, 1980, the stalked barnacle Neolepas cf. zevinae Newman, 1979, actinostolid sea-anemones (Chondrophellia-like), the bythograeid crab Bythograea thermydron Williams, 1980, the galatheid crab Munidopsis sp. and a recently described nematocarcinid shrimp, Nematocarcinus burukowskyi Komai & Segonzac, 2005. Other fish occur in this environment such as the synaphobranchid Ilyophis saldanhai Karmovskaya & Parin, 1999, the bythitid Thermichthys hollisi (Cohen et al., 1990) and an unidentified hagfish. Additional V. biospeedoi specimens were observed at other sites (see “Distribution”) visited during the BIOSPEEDO cruise, between 2585 and 2840 m (Jollivet et al., 2004), at places sometimes ten or more individuals swimming in the shimmering vent fluids with temperatures between 2 and 7°C (Fig. 8B). Distribution Known only from the South East Pacific Rise, where it was caught on hydrothermal vent site Oasis (17°25.38’S, 113°12.29’W, 2586 m) and observed on three additional sites: Yaquina (7º25’S, 107º48’W, 2750 m), Hobbs (17º35’S, 113º15’W, 2595 m) and Gromit (21º34’S, 114º18’W, 2840 m).

Ventichthys gen. nov. Type species Ventichthys biospeedoi n. sp. (type locality: South East Pacific Rise, 17º25.38’S, 113º12.29’W, 2586 m). Diagnosis An ophidiid genus with robust body; very small, overlapping scales on head and body; thick skin; posteriorly placed, enlarged kidneys; four lateral lines; dorsal fin origin above tip of pectorals; base of pelvic fin below hind margin of opercle; head broad with blunt snout; strong opercular spine covered by thick skin; upper jaw ends just behind eye; teeth granular, one median basibranchial tooth patch; anterior gill arch with 10-11 long rakers; number of rays in dorsal fin 80-89, caudal fin 8, anal fin 64-72, pelvic fin 2, pectoral fin 24-25; number of vertebrae 16-17 + 36 (in total 52-53). Similarity A phylogenetic analysis of the Ophidiidae needs to be made, but there are two genera, Benthocometes (Goode and Bean, 1886) and Petrotyx Heller and Snodgrass, 1903 that are similar to Ventichthys in having a blunt snout, no free pectoral fin rays, granular teeth, and one basibranchial tooth patch. The differences between the three genera are shown in Table 2. Etymology Vent refers to the hydrothermal vent and ichthys to fish.

Lucifuga inopinata Cohen & McCosker, 1998: CAS 86572 (holotype), 101 mm SL, female, off Galapagos Is, Seamount southeast of I. San Cristobal., Published as part of Peter R. M��ller, Werner Schwarzhans, Thomas M. Iliffe & J��rgen G. Nielsen, 2006, Revision of the Bahamian cave-fishes of the genus Lucifuga (Ophidiiformes, Bythitidae), with description of a new species from islands on the Little Bahama Bank., pp. 23-46 in Zootaxa 1223 on page 26

Benthocometes robustus (Goode and Bean, 1886): Instituto Investigaciones Pesquerias, Barcelona 348-350/1987 (SL 118-122 mm), ISH 1921/68 (SL 100 and 107 mm), ZMUC P77683 (SL 95 mm)., Published as part of J��rgen G. Nielsen, Peter Rask M��ller & Michel Segonzac, 2006, Ventichthys biospeedoi n. gen. et sp. (Teleostei, Ophidiidae) from a hydrothermal vent in the South East Pacific., pp. 13-24 in Zootaxa 1247 on page 14

Lucifuga lucayana, new species (Figs. 2 –6, Tables 1–3) Lucifuga spelaeotes (not Cohen & Robins, 1970): Yager 1981: 328; Cunliffe 1985: 108, photo; Palmer 1985 a: 114, photo 51; Yager & Williams 1988: 102; Wilkens et al. 1989: 127 (eyes); Smith– Vaniz & Böhlke 1991: 202 (part); Cohen & McCosker 1998: 184 (part); Proudlove 2001: 207 (part). Material examined (6 specimens, of which 3 lack the head, 44–99 mm SL, due to earlier studies of the eye development (H. Wilkens pers. comm.). Identification of headless specimens based on finray and vertebrae counts). Holotype: ANSP 146475, 99 mm SL, female, Grand Bahama Island, Lucayan Caverns, depth 12 m, collected by Dennis Williams, 1 November 1980. Paratypes: ANSP 148497, 44 mm SL, male, Abaco Island, inland sink hole, precise location and depth unknown, collected by Dennis Williams, date unknown; BMNH 1984.12. 1.20, 80 mm SL, female, Grand Bahama Island, Pisces Cave, Zodiac Caverns, depth 15 m, collected by Robert Palmer, 4 July 1984 (see Palmer 1985 a); ZMH 9517, ca. 85 mm SL, head missing, female, Abaco Island, 26 ° 14 ' 30 ''N, 77 ° 11 ' 25 ''W, collected by Dennis Williams, 7 June 1984; ZMH 9522, ca. 110 mm SL, head missing, male, Grand Bahama Island, Lucayan Caverns, other data missing; ZMH 9566, ca. 125 mm SL, head missing, male, Grand Bahama Island, Lucayan Caverns, other data missing. Diagnosis. Lucifuga lucayana is distinguished from other members of the genus by the following combination of characters: Vertebrae 12–13 + 37–39 = 50–52, dorsal finrays 84–91, anal finrays 63–69, pectoral finrays 17–18, caudal finrays 10; head profile above eye strongly depressed, scales on occiput, eyes present (0.9 –1.0 % SL); palatine teeth absent; color uniformly light brown, long gill­rakers 3, pale. Similarity. Lucifuga lucayana resembles L. spelaeotes in all but a few characters listed in Tables 1–3. It differs in the lack of palatine teeth (vs. 3–56) (fig. 6), color of elongated gill­rakers (pale vs. dark) and the broadly scaled occiput (vs. occiput scaled only in central part) (fig. 4). Furthermore, L. lucayana in average have fewer dorsal finrays (84– 91, x= 89.2 vs. 86–109, x= 97.5), anal finrays (63–69, x= 66.2 vs. 66–82, x= 73.8) (Tables 1– 3) and perhaps smaller eyes (0.9 –1.0, x=1.0 vs. 0.7–1.8, x = 1.3 % SL, fig. 5). Lucifuga lucayana resembles two Cuban species L. subterranea and L. teresinarum in the lack of palatine teeth, but it differs from these and the two other Cuban species in several characters e.g. larger eye (0.9 –1.0 vs. 0.0– 0.3 % SL), and in the higher number of vertebrae (12–13 + 37–39 = 50–52 vs. 11 + 34–37 = 45–48 (unknown for L. teresinarum) and caudal finrays (10 vs. 8) (Table 3). It further differs from the Cuban species L. dentata and L. simile by the lack of palatine teeth and number of anal finrays (63–69 vs. 69–78 and 57– 60, respectively). Description. Meristic and morphometric characters are given in Tables 1–3. Body moderately elongate, compressed. Head profile strongly depressed (figs. 2–4). Eyes relatively small, 0.9 –1.0 % SL (fig. 5). Upper jaw slightly protruding. Anterior nostril tubeshaped, placed low on snout near upper lip; posterior nostril a mere hole, larger, about midway between snout and eye. Maxilla expanded posteriorly, not sheathed by skin flap. Opercular spines absent. Anterior gill arch with 3 elongate rakers and 13 (10–14) broad plates arranged in the following configuration: Upper branch with 3 (3–5) broad plates; the bend between upper and lower gill arch with one long raker, and lower gill arch with 1 (0– 1) small plate, 2 elongate rakers interspersed with 1 small plate and followed by 8 (6–8) small plates. Pseudobranchial filaments 2 (1–2). Branchiostegal rays 7. Scales on body large, oval (in HT about 1.6 mm horizontally at mid­body, and about 20 horizontal rows above anal fin origin); vertical fins and pectoral fin naked except for scales on pectoral fin peduncle. Predorsal area, operculum and top of head, including the occiput scaled. Snout, interorbital, area below eyes and narrow supraorbital and postorbital bands naked (figs. 3 A, 4 A–B). Origin of dorsal fin above tip of pectoral fins. Pelvic fin with a single ray reaching about one third from its base to origin of anal fin. Pectoral fin on the middle of body, peduncle short and narrow. Caudal fin free, not fused with dorsal and anal fins. Head sensory pores: Supraorbital pores 4, anteriormost 3 on snout and posteriormost above opercular flap; infraorbital pores 6 (3 large anteriorly and smaller 3 posteriorly); mandibular pores 6 (3 anterior and 3 posterior), the 2 nd anterior very long, the posterior ones increasing in size; preopercular pores 2 (2 lower and 0 upper) (fig. 3 A). Lateral line with 13 (12–13) dorsal neuromasts anteriorly and 35 (34–35) medio­lateral neuromasts posteriorly. Many small sensory papillae on head. L. lucayana L. spelaeotes HT HT and 5 PTs 1 HT HT, PT and 42 nontypes ANSP Mean and range USNM Mean and range 146475 204603 Number of dorsal finrays 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 n Number of anal finrays 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 n New Providence Island 1 1 1 2 7 5 3 3 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 34 Number of pectoral finrays Number of total vertebrae 17 18 19 20 21 n 50 51 52 53 54 55 n, examined Vertebrae / Anal finrays Pectoral finrays Caudal finrays Palatine teeth line neuromasts Total Gill­rakers gill­raker pigmentation n Dorsal Lateral Occiput squamation Eye (% SL size) Long Bahamas L. lucayana sp. n. 6 12–13 + 37–39 84– 91 / 17–18 10 Absent 12–13 / 13–17 Pale Dense 0.9 –1.0 = 50–52 63–69 34–35 L. spelaeotes 44 13–14 + 38–42 86–109 / 17–20 10 Present 12–19 / 15–23 Dark Weak 0.7–1.8 = 51–55 66–82 3–56 30 –47 Cuba L. dentata 1, 2 6 11 + 36–37 83– 95 / 15–17 8 Present 13 / 35 15–21 Pale Absent 0.0 = 46–48 69–78 23–24 L. simile 2, 3 1 11 + 34–35 70– 78 / 11–16 8 Present 12 / 18 Pale Absent 0.0 = 45–46 57–64 25 20–24 L. subterranea 1, 2 3 11 + 36–37 80– 86 / 12–14 8 Absent? 14–15 Pale Weak 0.0– 0.3 = 46–48 61–66 L. teresinarum 2,4 0? 78– 80 / 10–11 8 Absent? 13–14 Pale Weak 0.0 61–64 1 Data from Cohen and Robins (1970) included. 2 Data from Cohen and McCosker (1998) included. 3 Data from Nalbant (1981) included. 4 Data from Diaz Perez (1988) included. Dentition: Premaxilla with 6 (5–7) rows of granular teeth, slightly larger in inner row. Vomer horseshoe­shaped, with 3 (2–3) teeth rows and a total of 31 (24–43) teeth. Palatines without teeth (fig. 6). Dentary with 6 (3–6) outer rows of granular teeth and an inner row of long, pointed teeth. First neural spine less than half the length of second spine; spine 2–4 slightly longer and more slender than spines 5–10; spines 4–9 slightly depressed. Parapophyses present from vertebra 7–13, increasing in length. Pleural and epipleural ribs on vertebrae 2–13. Last precaudal vertebra without ribs. Male copulatory organ completely integrated in the fleshy genital hood, similar to the configuration in L. spelaeotes (fig. 8 C–D; Cohen & Robins 1970). Penis not easily visible underneath oval accessory organ. Soft lateral lips covering over accessory organ, distally with fleshy wing­shaped expansion not unlike the outer pseudoclasper in Dinematiychtyini, but clearly attached to the hood and thus not homologous. Otolith thin, elongate, with pointed anterior and posterior tips in smaller specimens (ANSP 146475) and strongly expanded broad anterior region and broad postdorsal concavity in large specimens (ZMH 9566, fig. 3 B–C). Otolith length to height ratio 2.2 to 2.4. Sulcus very short, with single fused colliculum, between 28 % and 35 % of otolith length and located nearly at centre of inner face. Ventral furrow on inner face indistinct, dorsal depression very feeble or absent. Coloration. Live color uniformly pale brown (Palmer 1985 a, fig. 51). Preserved color light brown, with lighter fins (figs. 2, 4A–B). No pigment on vertical fin bases or elongated gill­rakers. Etymology. The specific epithet lucayana— is in honor of the Lucayan Indians, who inhabited the Bahamas for more than 2000 years, before they were eliminated by European invaders. They gave name to the type­locality, Lucayan Caverns, which they used as a graveyard (Palmer, 1985 a) FIGURE 4. Head squamation of Bahamian Lucifuga spp. (A–B) Lucifuga lucayana, Paratype, BMNH 1984.12. 1.20, 80 mm SL, female, Grand Bahama Island, Pisces Cave, Zodiac Caverns; (C–D) Lucifuga spelaeotes, ZMUC P771363, 90 mm SL, female, Great Exuma Island; (E–F) L. spelaeotes, AMNH 57448, 96 mm SL, male, Bahamas, southern Long Island, Hard Bargain, Alphonso Dean’s Blue Hole. Note the difference in squamation on the lateral occipital parts (indicated by arrows). Distribution and habitat. Known from at least three inland cave systems on Grand Bahama and Abaco Islands, located on the Little Bahama Bank, northern Bahamas (fig. 1): 1. Lucayan caverns, an anchialine cave located on the central southern part of Grand Bahama Island, about 1 km from the ocean. The cave is connected to the sea via a submerged passage which opens into a tidal saltwater creek. The upper about 14 m in the cave consists of freshwater (22 °C), separated from a lower, slightly warmer (23–25 °C), salty layer by a distinct halocline (Yager 1981). According to the ANSP museum label, the holotype was caught in a depth of 12 m, which must then most likely have been in fresh water. The Lucayan Caverns is the type­locality of the crustacean class Remipedia (Yager 1981) and several other cave­dwelling crustaceans (see e.g. Carpenter 1994; Pesce & Iliffe 2002). 2. Zodiac Caverns, north of Sweetings Cay Settlement, eastern Grand Bahama. The cave system was described by Palmer (1985 a, b) and seems to have connections to the Sea via Zodiac Creek (see maps in Palmer (1985 a, b)). One specimen of L. lucayana was collected in the cave Pisces at 15 m and more specimens have been observed in the caves Aquarius and Sagittarius in depths down to about 20 m in salty water (Cunliffe 1985; Palmer 1985 b). 3. Abaco Island. Collected from one or two inland sink holes, but the physical conditions are unknown. 2 1.8 1.6 1.4 ) SL 1.2 % ( diameter 1 Eye 0.8 0.6 0.4 0.2 0 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 Standard Length (SL)