Apterichtus klazingai ( Weber 1913 )

Hibino, Yusuke, 2015, A review of the finless snake eels of the genus Apterichtus (Anguilliformes: Ophichthidae), with the description of five new species, Zootaxa 3941 (1), pp. 49-78 : 66

Apterichtus klazingai ( Weber 1913)

Table 1

Sphagebranchus klazingai Weber 1913:47 , Fig. 9 (type locality Indonesia, Banda Sea, syntypes ZMA 104.147–48). Sphagebranchus klazingai: Nijssen et al. 1982:10 (holotype and paratype incorrectly designated among syntypes). Apterichtus klazingai: McCosker 1977:66 .

Diagnosis. An elongate species with: tail 1.8–1.9, head 12–14, and body depth 45–72 in total length; middle of eye above tip of lower jaw; 3 preopercular pores and 5 pores in supratemporal canal; teeth conical, uniserial on jaws, vomerine teeth absent; body coloration white to pale with numerous small brown spots all slightly smaller than eye, fewer and slightly larger on head, more numerous and smaller on trunk and tail; and MVF 58–138, total vertebrae 131–145 (n=28).

Size. The largest specimen examined is 440 mm, sex unknown.

Distribution. Known from Durban, South Africa, north to Comoro Islands, and Maldives, across Indian Ocean to Indonesia and Australia, and in Polynesia, Micronesia and Hawaii; found in shallow sand and grass beds and coral and shell rubble bottoms to 50 m. It is possible that this species is also in Japan based on photographs taken from Okinawa (KPM-NR 6932, 10558, 36549) and Kochi. Japanese specimens however do not exist and we are not confident enough based on the photographs.

Remarks. Apterichtus klazingai is identifiable on the basis of its lack of vomerine teeth and its vertebral and cephalic pore conditions. It is the most widespread Indo-Pacific species, often co-occurring with congeners including A. flavicaudus , A. moseri , and A. mysi . Not unlike those of A. equatorialis , the vertebral counts of A. klazingai range broadly; we are unable however to recognize significant geographical variation.

Material examined. 66 specimens, 66–434 mm, including ZMA 104.147, 128.5 mm the holotype, Indonesia, Banda Sea, Siboga station 240, depth 9–45 meters. South Africa: SAIAB 17283, 296 mm, and SAIAB 17285, 388 mm, Kwazulu, Natal, I km off Durban Bluff, 20 m. Seychelles: RUSI 0 62617, 300 mm, Beau Vallon (55°29’E, 04°55’S). Grande Comore: CAS 35026, 2(134–149 mm), N of Hahaia, 20 m; CAS 32562 11(143–299 mm), 5 km N of Itsandra, 25–30 m; CAS 35464, 2(217–369 mm), 3 km N of Itsandra, 25– 30 m. Mauritius: USNM 342250, 3 (163–299 mm TL), Mascarene Islands, 31– 33 m. Maldives: FMNH 75552, 4(188–255 mm), Ari Atoll, 18– 27 m. Indonesia: BPBM 36764, 298 mm, Flores, Maumere Bay, E end, Japanese wreck, mud and “ Halophyla ”, 7– 9 m. VGS 74–20, 3(376–434 mm), Moluccas, Ambon (03°39’30”S, 128°11’30”E), 8 m. Philippine Islands: USNM 364292, 193 mm TL, Mindoro Island, flat sand bottom and small reef, 14 m; USNM 379259, 2(66–287 mm), Mindoro Id., flat sand bottom and small reef, 15 m. Society Islands: BPBM 31647, 228 mm, Tahiti, Arue, 1 m. Vanuatu: USNM 348474, 3 (148–198 mm TL), Erromango, Dillon'S Bay, sand bottom and small reef, 21– 24 m. Fiji: CAS 233966, 4(122–228 mm), Lau group, 10 m, sand; CAS 233967, 3(173–240 mm), NE of Viti Levu, 12m, sand; USNM 375002, 247 mm TL, Wallis Island, Ile Uvea, sand bottom into lagoon, 20– 30 m. Marquesas: MNHN 2014-2818, 197 mm, Nuku Hiva Island (08o56'S, 140o06'W), depth 45–64 m, captured using dredge, Campaign MUSORSTOM 9-1997, Station DW 1162. Australia: MNMZ P. 41178, 262 mm, Bellona Reefs, Coral Sea; AMS I.20781-003, 4(296–412 mm), Lizard Island. Tonga: Vava’u Group, BPBM 38075, 140 mm, Vava’u Group, 23– 25 m. Marshall Islands: BPBM 28194, 5 (111–298 mm), Enewetak, Japtan Is. 5–6 m, sand. Hawaii: Kona BPBM 7906, 21(100–266 mm), Waawaa Pt., Kona Coast, Hawaii, 20 m.

Figures

FIGURE 9. Head of holotype of Apterichtus jeffwilliamsi, USNM 363869, 305 mm. Drawn by Y. Hibino.