Osteology and Relationships of the Eel Diastobranchus capensis (Pisces, Synaphobranchidae)

Abstract

An osteological comparison of Diastobranchus (using its single species D. capensis Barnard, 1923, known only from the Southern Ocean) with other synaphobranchoid eels shows that it is intermediate between Synaphobranchus and Ilyophis (Synaphobranchidae). The Simenchelyidae is more generalized, whereas the Dysommidae contain the more specialized of the Synaphobranchoidei.