Review and phylogeny of the New Zealand hagfishes (Myxiniformes: Myxinidae), with a description of three new species. (June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zintzen, Vincent; Roberts, Clive D.; Shepherd, Lara; Stewart, Andrew L.; Struthers, Carl D.; Anderson, Marti J.; McVeagh, Margaret; Noren, Michael; Fernholm, Bo
• Is Part Of: Zoological journal of the Linnean Society. Volume 174:Number 2(2015:Jun.)
• Page Start: 363
• Page End: 393
• Publication Date: 2015-06
• Subjects: Zoology -- Periodicals; 590
• DOI: 10.1111/zoj.12239
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0024-4082

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>Hagfishes from New Zealand are reviewed and a phylogeny proposed using morphological and genetic data (DNA sequences of cytochrome <italic>c</italic> oxidase subunit I gene, <italic>COI</italic>, and the small subunit RNA, <italic>16S</italic>). <italic><bold>E</bold></italic><bold><italic>ptatretus cryptus</italic> sp. nov.</bold> was previously confused with <italic>Eptatretus cirrhatus</italic> (Forster in Bloch & Schneider, 1801) because of their similar morphology, and is found from the Three Kings Islands to Stewart Island and in the eastern part of the Chatham Rise (at depths of 96–922 m). <italic><bold>E</bold></italic><bold><italic>ptatretus poicilus</italic> sp. nov.</bold> is endemic to the Three Kings Islands, where it is common and associated with soft sediment and deep‐sea coral‐sponge habitats (114–842 m). <italic><bold>N</bold></italic><bold><italic>eomyxine caesiovitta</italic> sp. nov.</bold> is a slender hagfish found along the east coast of the North Island south to the Chatham Rise (430–1083 m). A neotype is erected for <italic>E. cirrhatus</italic> (type locality: Breaksea Sound, Fiordland), occurring widely in New Zealand coastal, shelf, and slope waters (1–922 m), but not at the Three Kings Islands. <italic>Eptatetrus goliath</italic> Mincarone & Stewart, 2006, <italic>Neomyxine biniplicata</italic> (Richardson & Jowett, 1951), and <italic>Nemamyxine elongata</italic> Richardson, 1958 are further described using additional material. <italic>Rubicundus eos</italic> (Fernholm, 1991) is still only known from the holotype (type locality: Challenger Plateau). Genetic results showed that the New Zealand <italic>Eptatretus</italic> species form a monophyletic group within the subfamily Eptatretinae, indicating likely speciation from a single common ancestor within the area. <italic><bold>E</bold></italic><bold><italic>ptatretus poicilus</italic> sp. nov.</bold> is the sister species of <italic>E. cirrhatus</italic>, and <italic><bold>E</bold></italic><bold><italic>. cryptus</italic> sp. nov.</bold> is closely associated with the clade formed by these two species. <italic>Eptatretus goliath</italic> is most closely associated with <italic>Eptatretus minor</italic> Fernholm & Hubbs, 1981 (Gulf of Mexico), these two species basally diverging within New Zealand hagfishes. The endemic genus <italic>Neomyxine</italic> forms a well‐supported monophyletic group of as yet uncertain position within the phylogenetic tree. A key to the New Zealand hagfishes, fresh colour photographs, distribution maps, and <italic>in situ</italic> video recordings are presented. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London</p> </abstract>