Notes on the snake eels of the genera Apterichtus and Ichthyapus (Anguilliformes: Ophichthidae) of the Central and South Pacific, with the description of a new species

Abstract

Apterichtus australis, new species, collected by dredge and rotenone in 12–100 m is described from Rapa, Pitcairn, Easter and Kermadec islands. It is closely related to A. flavicaudus (Snyder) but differs from it and all congeners in its high vertebral number, cephalic pore condition, and dentition. Ichthyapus from Easter Island and Pitcairn are recognized as I. acutirostris Brisout de Barneville. Caecula (Sphagebranchus) platyrhyncha Gosline from Hawaii is resurrected from the synonymy of I. vulturis (Weber & de Beaufort). First records of I. vulturis and Apterichtus klazingai (Weber) from Hawaii are reported.