title: A new genus and species of worm eels, Sympenchelys taiwanensis (Anguilliformes: Ophichthidae: Myrophinae), from the northwestern Pacific Ocean.
abstract: A new genus and species of ophichthid eel, Sympenchelys taiwanensis is described. The genus is distinguishable from all other myrophine genera by having neural and haemal spines with well-developed paddle-like tips, and from two closely similar genera, Mureaenichthys Bleeker 1853 and Skythrenchelys Castle & McCosker 1999, by the following combination of characters: an unconstricted gill opening; a minute flap just posterior to the gill opening; a slender cleithrum; three preopercular pores; a slender and distinctly tapered maxilla; an undeveloped supraoccipital crest; and large and recurved teeth on jaws and vomer. Sympenchelys taiwanensis is described from five specimens collected from Taiwan, the northwestern Pacific Ocean.
authors.affiliation: Fisheries Research Laboratory, Mie University, 4190-172 Wagu, Shima-cho, Shima, Mie 517-0703, Japan.; Email: 513d303@m.mie-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Yusuke
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hibino
authors.affiliation: National Museum of Marine Biology & Aquarium, Checheng, Pingtung, 944, Taiwan. Institute of Marine Biology, National Dong Hwa University, Checheng, Pingtung, 944, Taiwan; Email: ogcoho@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Hsuan-Ching
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.affiliation: Fisheries Research Laboratory, Mie University, 4190-172 Wagu, Shima-cho, Shima, Mie 517-0703, Japan.; Email: unknown.
authors.forename: Seishi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kimura
mesh_terms: D063147:Animal Distribution; D000825:Animal Structures / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development; D000818:Animals; D049628:Body Size; D004524:Eels / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000145:classification* / Q000254:growth & development; D005260:Female; D009929:Organ Size; D010140:Pacific Ocean; D013624:Taiwan