A new type of exterilium larva referable to Leptobrotula (Ophidiiformes: Ophidiidae: Neobythitinae) from tropical Indo-West Pacific.

A new type of exterilium larvae referable to Leptobrotula (Ophidiiformes: Ophidiidae) is described on the basis of two specimens (20.7+?mm and ca. 35.4?mm?SL) collected from the tropical Indo-Pacific. They are characterized, in particular, by several elongated anterior dorsal fin rays supported by the large dorsal pterygiophores and the exterilium gut bearing filamentous appendages along the ventral border. It is suggested from larval evidence that Leptobrotula forms a distinct lineage with Brotulotaenia and Lamprogrammus, which may be placed in an expanded Brotulonaeniinae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]