Nipponic Conger

discussion

Remarks. This is a common species in Taiwan. Previous records of C. japonicus may refer to this species.

Annotated checklist of eels (orders Anguilliformes and Saccopharyngiformes) from Taiwan

description

Description. See Table 1 for morphometric data. Lateral-line pores: prepectoral 4 ‒ 6; predorsal 13 ‒ 15; preanal 35 ‒ 38; total 135 ‒ 138. Head pores: SO 4, IO 5 (4 on upper jaw + 1 behind rictus), POM 9 (6 on lower jaw, 3 behind rictus), ST 1. Vertebrae: predorsal 14 ‒ 16; preanal 37 ‒ 39; total 140 ‒ 146; MVF 15 - 39 - 143. DFO well behind pectoral fin. Angle of jaw before posterior margin of eye, 6 th IO pore at level of and more than one pore diameter behind rictus. Usually none to as many as 4 small teeth present in inner row of teeth on each jaw (Fig. 3 B). When preserved, most dorsal and lateral surfaces uniformly black, ventral surface slightly paler; pectoral fin blackish; throat and upper lip pale; median fins white with black base and margins, posterior portion entirely black. Maximum size 636 mm TL, expected to be larger than this.

Review of the congrid eel genus Conger (Anguilliformes: Congridae) in Taiwan

diagnosis

Diagnosis. DFO behind pectoral fin. Maxillary teeth mainly in one row, except for 1 ‒ 4 extra teeth on inner row (Fig. 3 B). Vertebrae 140 ‒ 146.

Review of the congrid eel genus Conger (Anguilliformes: Congridae) in Taiwan

discussion

Remarks. In Taiwan, both this species and Conger macrocephalus (see below) have been confused under the name Conger japonicus (see Smith, et al., 2016 for a clarification of the latter name). Conger jordani is distinguished by its posterior DFO and the presence of a single row of maxillary teeth, except for 1 ‒ 4 small teeth on the inner row that may be present anteriorly in some specimens. Kanazawa (1958) tentatively recorded this species from South Africa on the basis of two specimens, but noted that the DFO was more anterior than in the Japanese specimens. Although he did not give catalog numbers for the South African specimens, they are apparently USNM 171997 and 171998. Further studies with additional material are needed to assess the taxonomic status of the South Africa population.

Review of the congrid eel genus Conger (Anguilliformes: Congridae) in Taiwan