Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India

New record of deep sea cusk eel Bassozetus robustus Smith and Radcliffe (1913) (Ophidiiformes: Ophidiidae) from the Indian EEZ with a redescription

Volume 51 Issue 1

Sherine Sonia Cubelio, Ginson Joseph, S. Venu and B. Madhusoodana Kurup

Abstract

Bassozetus robustus Smith and Radcliffe (1913), a rare species of deep sea cusk eel, which is hitherto unknown from the Indian EEZ, is reported and redescribed. B. robustus is compared with its closely related congeneric species, B. multispinis in terms of morphometrics and meristics. The specimen was collected during the cruises of FORV Sagar Sampada along the continental slope of the Indian EEZ.B. robustus can be diagnosed by the presence of one ray in each pelvic fin, one median basibranchial tooth patch and long gill rakers.

Keywords

Deep sea cusk eel, Bassozetus robustus

Date : 01-09-2009