A new genus and species of hagfish from Vietnam: A transitional lineage between Rubicundinae and Myxininae (Craniata: Myxiniformes)
Abstract
Abstract Dolichostomus leucotaenia gen. et sp. nov. is described from two specimens collected from off northern Vietnam. It is characterized by a long, oval mouth opening visible from the ventral view, a feature unique among the order Myxiniformes. It also possesses a single medial nasal‐sinus papilla and branchial slime pores positioned external to the gill‐aperture series. Moreover, it can be further distinguished by its slender body, a distinct white mid‐dorsal stripe, five pairs of gill apertures arranged in a straight line, and ventral aorta not bifurcated. The character states of the relative position of branchial slime pores and gill‐aperture series and bifurcation of ventral aorta suggest that D. leucotaenia sp. nov. represents a transitional lineage between the subfamilies Rubicundinae and Myxininae.
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Authors: Hin‐Kiu Mok, Yo Su, Vo Van Quang, Hsuan‐Ching Ho
Institutions: University of Science and Technology, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, National Sun Yat-sen University, Australian Museum, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, National Kaohsiung Marine University, National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium