Genetic and morphometric evidence confirms presence of a novel species in Bathymyrus (Congridae: Bathymyrinae) from the Bay of Bengal, India

A new species of Bathymyrus is described based on 32 specimens collected from the east coast of India, the Bay of Bengal. The presence of the fourth member in the genus Bathymyrus is illustrated here with evidence from an integrative taxonomic approach. This study includes the molecular information of the new species on the basis of the COX1 gene. The species is closer to the previously reported Indo-West Pacific species Bathymyrus simus but differs genetically with 3.4% to 4.9%. Additionally, the species delimitation analysis suggests the existence of a new species of Bathymyrus simus complex. Morphologically, the new species differs in having a smaller head and a smaller rostral spine height in comparison to B. simus . Among the other two species, B athymyrus echinorhynchus differs by having a smaller head, a smaller trunk, and a smaller pectoral-fin, and Bathymyrus smithi has distinctly more vertebrae and more lateral line pores.