A New Moray Eel (Muraenidae: Gymnothorax) from Oceanic Islands of the South Pacific

Abstract

A new moray of the genus Gymnothorax is illustrated and described from 69 individuals taken from oceanic islands and atolls in the subtropical South Pacific Ocean. It differs from all other Gymnothorax except the Atlantic G. bacalladoi in having a single branchial pore. The new species of Gymnothorax may be distinguished from G. bacalladoi by having fewer preanal vertebrae (48-53 rather than 54-56), more total vertebrae (138-146 rather than 130-131), a single rather than a double row of vomerine teeth, and fewer teeth in the inner maxillary tooth row. The new species appears to be allied to G. bacalladoi and G. panamensis based on coloration and dentition.