Records of species of the snake eels genus Ophichthus (Family Ophichthidae) from Vietnam

Abstract

In Vietnam, the snake eel genus Ophichthuswas previously comprised 14 distinct species. This research aims to document and visually represent three previously undocumented findings and a newly discovered species. The species Ophichthus bicolorand Ophichthus machidai are meticulously described here, their characteristics based on five specimens each, gathered at depths of approximately 100–180 m and 50–100 m, respectively, in the vicinity of Quy Nhon. Additionally, Ophichthus obtususis comprehensively described using 12 specimens collected from depths ranging from roughly 50 m to 120 m in the Quy Nhon, Nha Trang, and Vung Tau areas. The identification of most species relied on careful examination of their morphological characters. These findings collectively raised the Ophichthusgenus’s representation in Vietnamese waters by introducing three previously undocumented species, raising the total count to 17 compared to prior research. Furthermore, this study provides a comprehensive key to aid in identifying the various Ophichthus species found in Vietnam.