Neenchelys diaphora sp. nov.

Common name: Longfin worm eel

Holotype. NMMB-P17563 (475 mm), a ripe female, Dong-gang Fishing Port, SW Taiwan, northern South China Sea, otter trawl, 25 Nov. 2011.

Paratypes. NMMB-P16304 (430 mm), a ripe female, Dong-gang Fishing Port, SW Taiwan, northern South China Sea, otter trawl, 19 Mar. 2012, coll. H.-C. Ho. NMMB-P17553 (264 mm), sex indeterminate, Dong-gang Fishing Port, SW Taiwan, northern South China Sea, otter trawl, 9 Nov. 2012, coll. H.-C. Ho.

Diagnosis. A species of Neenchelys distinguished by a combination of the following characters: body relatively cylindrical, 2.8–3.3 times in HL, 28–35 in TL; dorsal-fin origin at midpoint of trunk, 1.2–1.5 times in HL behind gill opening; predorsal length 4.4–4.6 in TL; HL 9.9–10.8 in TL; tail 1.5–1.6 in TL; pectoral fin well developed and relatively large, 3.7–4.0 in HL; total vertebrae 177–186; MVF 35-54-181. Cephalic lateral-line pores 13–15; predorsal pores 35–38; preanal pores 56–59.

Etymology. From the Greek diaphoros, meaning different. Initially, the holotype was recognized as being very similar to Neenchelys pelagica sp. nov. described below. With two additional specimens collected from near the locality of the holotype, we were able to confirm its differentiation and describe it as a new species.

Remarks. A detailed description and comparisons are provided in Ho et al. (2013:8–9). Preservation coloration and dentition are provided in Ho et al. (2013: fig. 4). Meristic and morphometric data are provided in Ho et al. (2013: tables 1–2).

Neenchelys pelagica sp. nov.

Common name: Pelagic worm eel

Holotype. NMMB-P15556 (392 mm), a ripe female, Dong-gang Fishing Port, SW Taiwan, northern South China Sea, midwater shrimp trawl, 10 Sep. 2009, coll. H.–C. Ho.

Paratypes. CAS 231943 (327 mm), a ripe female, and USNM 401022 (353 mm), a fully ripe female, collected together with the holotype.

Diagnosis. A species of Neenchelys distinguished by a combination of the following characters: body moderately elongate, relatively cylindrical, body depth 2.8–3.1 times in HL, 28–31 in TL; dorsal-fin origin at midpoint of trunk, 1.0–1.4 times in HL behind gill opening; predorsal length 4.3–4.8 in TL; HL 9.8–10.2 in TL; tail 1.5 in TL; pectoral fin well developed and relatively large, 3.8–4.6 in HL; total vertebrae 169; MVF 33-53-169. Cephalic Lateral-line pores 14; predorsal pores 36 or 37; preanal pores 56 or 57.

Etymology. From the Latin pelagica, in reference to its mesopelagic habitat.

Remarks. A detailed description and comparisons are provided in Ho et al. (2013:14–15). Preservation coloration and dentition are provided in Ho et al. (2013: fig. 8). Meristic and morphometric data are provided in Ho et al. (2013: tables 3–4).

Neenchelys similis sp. nov.

Common name: Slender worm eel

Neenchelys daedalus (non McCosker): McCosker, 1982: 65 (non-types); Machida & Ohta, 1993: 391 (description, Japan); Nakabo, 2002: 217 (illustrated key, Japan).

Holotype. ASIZP 59925, 677 mm, female with immature eggs, Daxi Fishing Port, Ilan, NE Taiwan, bottom trawl, 20 Mar. 1998, coll. M.-L. Chiou.

Paratypes. NSMT-P105355 (580 mm), 35°00’N, 138°40’E to 34°58.02’N, 138°40’E, Suruga Bay, Japan, 1,376 to 1,450 m, beam trawl, 13 Nov. 1983, field no. RIUT.KT.8318.11.0101. FRLM 38980 (756 mm), Nayaura, Minamiise, Mie, Japan, round haul net, 22 Apr. 2011, coll. M. Okada. FRLM 42319 (714 mm), Nieura, Minamiise, Mie, Japan, round haul net, 6 Mar. 2011, coll. M. Okada.

Non-types. AMS I.19707-017 (5, 172– 187 mm), CAS 50709 (2, 187– 225 mm), CAS 50710 (190 mm), ANSP 149295 (2, 175– 185 mm), Manus Island, Papua New Guinea, 04°15’ S, 145°11’ E, 6-ft IKMT, 0 to 125 m, over a bottom at 750+ m, FRV TAGULA, 22 Oct. 1969, coll. J. E. Paxton; SIO 77–171 (144 mm), Banda Sea, 105 km SW of Buru I., 04°30.5’S, 125°34.6’E, 0 to 1500 m over a 3600 m bottom, 26 Aug. 1976, coll. J. Coatsworth.

Diagnosis. A species of Neenchelys distinguished by a combination of the following characters: body extremely elongate and slightly compressed, its depth 2.6–3.0 times in HL, 43–48 in TL; dorsal-fin origin at anterior 1/3 of trunk, 1.0–1.3 times in HL behind gill opening; predorsal length 6.8–7.7 in TL; head relatively short, 15.1–16.3 in TL; trunk 4.6–4.8 in TL; tail extremely long, 1.4 in TL; pectoral fin well developed, longer than snout.

Total vertebrae 260–265; MVF 34-68-262. Cephalic lateral-line pores 15 or 16; predorsal pores 35–37; preanal pores 70 or 71.

Etymology. From the Latin similis, like, in reference to its similarity to its congener, N. daedalus. Remarks. A detailed description is provided in Ho et al. (2013:15–17). Preservation coloration and dentition are provided in Ho et al. (2013:fig. 9). Meristic and morphometric data are provided in Ho et al. (2013:tables 3–4).