title: New species of the snake eels Echelus and Ophichthus (Anguilliformes: Ophichthidae) from Taiwan.
abstract: Three new species of ophichthid eels, subfamily Ophichthinae, are described and illustrated from specimens collected at fish markets in Taiwan. Included are: Echelus polyspondylus sp. nov., which is unique in its vertebral number (172-183), dorsal-fin origin (behind gill openings), and coloration (anal-fin membrane black posteriorly); Ophichthus bicolor sp. nov., which is unique in its mean vertebral formula (18-64-158), dorsal-fin origin (well behind gill openings), dentition (teeth large and conical), and contrasting coloration (tan dorsally, white ventrally); and O. shaoi sp. nov., which is unique in its mean vertebral formula (11-69-159), and prominent lip barbels. A key to Taiwanese species of Echelus and Ophichthus is provided.
authors.affiliation: California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, California 94118-4503, U.S.A.; Email: jmccosker@calacademy.org.
authors.forename: John E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Mccosker
authors.affiliation: National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium, Pingtung, Taiwan Institute of Marine Biology, National Dong Hwa University, Pingtung, Taiwan.; Email: ogcoho@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Hsuan-Ching
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Ho
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; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size; D013624:Taiwan