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Eptatretus goliath new species, is described from a specimen caught at the head of the Hauraki Canyon off the northeast North Island, New Zealand, at 811 m depth. It differs from all other seven-gilled Eptatretus in having three-cusp multicusps in anterior and posterior rows, 11-13 unicusps in anterior rows, nine unicusps in posterior rows, total cusps 54, 14-15 prebranchial pores, 57-58 trunk pores, 13-14 tail pores, 92 total pores, and a prominent ventral finfold. The single specimen, at 1275 nun TL and 6.2 kg, is the largest hagfish yet known.
THE seven-gilled hagfishes of the genus Eptatretus (Myxinidae) from the Pacific Ocean have been previously studied by McMillan and Wisner (1984), who recorded four species: E. carlhubbsi from the northern Pacific, E. cirrhatus from southeastern Australia and New Zealand, E. laurahubbsae from Juan Fernández Islands, and E. strahani from the Philippines. Prior to the present account, Eptatretus carlhubbsi had been the largest known hagfish, with nine specimens measuring 8101160 mm total length (McMillan and Wisner, 1984).
During exploratory commercial fishing for deep-water crabs in 2002, a single specimen of an extremely large hagfish was taken off northeastern New Zealand and returned to the Museum of New Zealand. Detailed study indicates this species belongs to an undescribed species. Herein we describe it as a new sevengilled Eptatretus. Measuring 1275 mm total length, it is the largest hagfish reported to date.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Methods for measurements and counts follow those of Fernholm and Hubbs (1981) and McMillan and Wisner (1984). Terminology of anatomical structures follows Wisner and McMillan (1995) and Mok (2001). Length of specimens (in mm) is given as total length (TL), defined as the distance from the front of the rostrum to the posterior margin of caudal finfold. All other measurements are given in millimeters and as percentage of TL. Counts of gill pouches (GP), gill apertures (GA), cusps, and slime pores were taken from both sides of the specimen. Institutional abbreviations are as listed in Leviton et al. (1985), except MOVIMuseu Oceanográfico do Vale do Itajai (Itajaí, Brazil).
Eptatretus goliath, new species
Goliath Hagfish
Figures 1, 2
Holotype.-NMNZ P.40729, adult female, 1275 mm TL, 6.2 kg, off New Zealand, northeastern North Island, from the head of the Hauraki Canyon, 35°27'54''S, 175°36'08''E, 811...