A new species of the genus Dysommina from the Lakshadweep Sea, India (Anguilliformes: Synaphobranchidae: Ilyophinae)

This study describes a new Dysommina species, based on two specimens collected at a depth of ca. 600 m in the Lakshadweep Sea off south-western India. The new species differs from its congeners in having fewer total vertebrae (120-127 vs. 134 in D. castanea, 133-134 in D. brevis, and 137-141 in D. orientalis), fewer predorsal vertebrae (14-15 vs. 16 in D. pygmaea), fewer preanal vertebrae (24-27 vs. 28-31 in D. rugosa), and in a combination of morphometric, meristic, dentition and colouration characters. DNA sequences were generated and analysed.