Nettenchelys bellottii (D’Ancona 1928)

Fig. 2

Leptocephalus bellottii D’Ancona 1928:60, Pl 3 (figs. 16–17) (Red Sea). Lectotype. MSNVE P-8 (24 mm), designated by Smith & Castle (1982:14).

Diagnosis. Known only from a larva; adult characters not available.

Distribution. Red Sea.

Remarks. This species was described from two small specimens, 14.5 and 24 mm TL. The larger one, the lectotype, is clearly a larval Nettenchelys . The smaller one, the paralectotype, is doubtful; it lacks the characteristic midlateral spot, and the posterior pigmented swelling in the gut seems closer to the anus than it is in larval Nettenchelys (Fig. 2, bottom). We suspect that it may be a small specimen of Saurenchelys . D’Ancona did not give the total myomere counts, only the preanal counts (51 for the lectotype), and there are no other characters that could link the larva to an adult. Considering the restricted distributions of the known species of Nettenchelys and the prevalence of endemism in the Red Sea, it is unlikely that this is the larva of one of the nine described species. It most likely represents a distinct species that has not yet been collected as an adult. The name is available and could be applied to the species if the adult is ever found.