Rare abyssal, ophidiid fishes from off the Crozet Islands, Southern Ocean, with a new species of Apagesoma Carter, 1983

Seven ophidiid specimens were collected during the benthic Crozet research cruise (RRS Discovery, D300), December 2005-January 2006, Indian sector of the Southern Ocean. Two are Apagesoma australis n. sp., which can be distinguished from the two described species in this genus by the number of precaudal vertebrae (15 vs 13), body depth at origin of anal fin 9.0-10.5 vs 17.0-21.0% SL and the shape of the sagittal otoliths. Four specimens are examples of the rare Holcomycteronus brucei (Dollo, 1906), that until now is known from only three specimens. The last specimen is referred to Bathyonus Goode & Bean, 1885 a genus in need of revision. The new species is described and additional diagnostic characters are provided for H. brucei. Including the present material 13 specimens of Ophidiidae have now been reported from Antarctic/Sub Antarctic waters.