The Osteology of the Congrid Eel Gorgasia punctata and the Relationships of the Heterocongrinae

Abstract

The osteology of Gorgasia punctata is described, figured, and compared with that of other congrids. Gorgasia is clearly referable to the subfamily Heterocongrinae. The heterocongrines agree with the Congridae in several important featu res, and do not differ in fund amental respects. Therefore, the group is recognized as a subfamily of the Congridae. Gorgasia is the most primitive heterocongrine, and agrees with the anagoine congrids in having a lateral ethmoid process. Because of this and other similarities it is suggested that the Anagoinae and Heterocongrinae arose from a common stem. The genus Xarifania was erected on the erroneous basis of lack of caudal rays. It is synonymized with Taenioconger.