Species of the ophidiid genus
Neobythites
from the western Indian
Ocean are revised based on 225 specimens. The majority of specimens came
from the 17th cruise (1988-89) of the Soviet R/V VITYAZ. Twelve species are
recognized:
N. analis Barnard, 1927 (southern Africa; lectotype
designed),
N. crosnieri sp.n. (Madagascar),
N. kenyaensis
sp.n. (east coast of Africa),
N. malhaensis sp.n. (Saya de Malha
Bank),
N. meteori sp.n. (Socotra Id.),
N. multistriatus
Nielsen and Quero, 1991 (Reunion and Rodrigues Islands),
N.
natalensis sp.n. (South Africa and Madagascar),
N. somaliaensis
sp.n. (Somalia),
N. steatiticus Alcock, 1893 (northern Indian
Ocean),
N. stefanovi Nielsen and Uiblein, 1993 (Red Sea to Gulf of
Oman),
N. trifilis Kotthaus, 1979 (Socotra Id.),
N.
vityazi sp.n. (Madagascar). All 12 species are illustrated, and a
key is included.
This paper is the first part of a revision of the genus
Neobythites.
A second and third part will treat the species from the East
Indian/Pacific Oceans and the Atlantic Ocean.
