Nybelinella erikssoni

distribution

The species N. erikssoni is regarded as being present off the Portuguese mainland EEZ, based on its geographical distribution (Van der Land et al. 2001).

Updated checklist of marine fishes (Chordata: Craniata) from Portugal and the proposed extension of the Portuguese continental shelf

description

Description. The principal meristic and morphometric characters are shown in Table 1 and for a thorough description of the holotype and ZMUC P 77455 see Nielsen (1969: 23). Body slender and head higher and broader than body. Skin loose, transparent and scaleless. Mouth oblique with protruding lower jaw. Eyes deep-set with a centrally placed pigmented part surrounded by a narrow black ring (diameter 1.5 – 2.3 % SL). Eyes of smaller specimens more densely pigmented and thus more distinct. Nostrils and head pores difficult to observe due to torn skin. Origin of dorsal fin well in front of midpoint of fish and origin of anal fin posterior to midpoint. One short ray in each pelvic fin placed below basis of pectoral fin. Anterior gill arch with 3 – 4 minute rakers on upper branch and lower branch with 20 – 24 small rakers of which the upper 5 - 8 are longer than the rest. Gill filaments extremely small (Fig. 3). Small, semi-spherical sagittal otoliths twice as long as thick and with a centrally placed, undivided sulcus (Fig. 4). Six of the females are ripe with dark brown eggs about 1 mm in diameter and two of them with free, about 10 mm long embryos (Fig. 5). Females with a pair of clas

Revision of the genus Nybelinella (Teleostei, Bythitidae) with a new Atlantic, abyssal species

diagnosis

Diagnosis. Nybelinella erikssoni is long, slender and compressed. Dorsal fin with 79 – 92 rays, anal fin with 51 – 57 rays and pectoral fin with 23 – 27 rays. Precaudal vertebrae 37 – 42, total vertebrae 75 – 79. Origin of anal fin below dorsal fin no. 29 – 40. Totally 23 – 27 small rakers on anterior gill arch with 3 – 4 on upper branch and lower branch with the dorsal 5 – 8 rakers slightly longer than the rest. Gill filaments very small. Predorsal 39.5 – 46.5 % SL and preanal 58 – 64 % SL. Comparisons. Nybelinella erikssoni differs from N. brevianalis by having more anal fin rays (51 – 57 vs. 45), totally 23 – 27 rakers on anterior gill arch (vs. 20), 5 – 8 slightly prolonged rakers dorsally on lower branch of anterior gill arch (vs. none) and preanal length shorter (58 – 64 % SL vs. 73 % SL). From N. brevidorsalis it differs by having more dorsal fin rays (79 – 92 vs. 70), origin of anal fin below dorsal fin no. 29 – 40 (vs. 19) and predorsal length 39.5 – 46.5 % SL (vs. 52).

Revision of the genus Nybelinella (Teleostei, Bythitidae) with a new Atlantic, abyssal species

distribution

Distribution (Fig. 1). Nybelinella erikssoni is caught in the North Atlantic except for two specimens from the southeastern Atlantic and north of Madagascar. They were caught in bottom fishing gear at depths between 2960 and 5440 m.

Revision of the genus Nybelinella (Teleostei, Bythitidae) with a new Atlantic, abyssal species