taxonID	type	description	language	source
039287FEFC26FF8076BAEEFAFA2C9249.taxon	description	- australiensis group: species with a single ocellus, two pre-opercular spines, and pelvic fins not reaching anus. Four species belong to this group: Neobythites superocellatus n. sp., N. australiensis, N. nigriventris, and N. unimaculatus. - kenyaensis group: species with two ocelli, a central ocellus and an ocellus placed close to dorsal-fin origin, with zero, one, or two preopercular spines, and pelvic fins not reaching anus. Three species belong to this group: Neobythites japonicus n. sp., N. kenyaensis, and N. ocellatus. - longiventralis group: species with one or two ocelli on dorsal fin, zero, one, or two preopercular spines, and pelvic fins extending beyond anus. Four species belong to this group: Neobythites jonathan n. sp., N. zora n. sp., N. longiventralis, and N. longipes. The latter species was moved to this group after having originally been included in the steatiticus group (Uiblein & Nielsen 2018). - steatiticus group: species with single ocellus, zero or one pre-opercular spine, and pelvic fins not reaching anus. This group includes nine species: Neobythites pako n. sp., N. gloriae Uiblein & Nielsen, N. lombokensis Uiblein & Nielsen, N. malayanus Weber, N. malhaensis Nielsen, N. meteori Nielsen, N. monocellatus, N. steatiticus Alcock, and N. stefanovi Nielsen & Uiblein.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2023): Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the West Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179-205, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2
039287FEFC26FF8476BAEABEFA2B9474.taxon	description	Figures 1 – 3, Tables 1 – 2	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2023): Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the West Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179-205, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2
039287FEFC26FF8476BAEABEFA2B9474.taxon	materials_examined	Holotype. MNHN 2021 - 0457, 95 mm SL, Solomon Sea, 9 ° 48 ′ 6 ″ S, 160 ° 50 ′ 8 ″ E, Salomon 1 cruise, R / V Alis, st. DW 1824, Waren dredge, 298 – 318 m depth, 4 Oct. 2001. Paratypes (n = 3, 79 – 98 mm SL). MNHN 2002 - 3758, 2, 79 – 90 mm SL, same collecting data as for holotype; MNHN 2002 - 3654, 98 mm SL, Solomon Sea, 10 ° 12 ′ 1 ″ S, 161 ° 19 ′ 3 ″ E, Salomon 1 cruise, R / V Alis, st. CP 1831, beam trawl, 135 – 325 m depth, 5 Oct. 2001. Fresh colour photo (Fig. 2). Two adult specimens (sample not retained, size not known) photographed together with entire beam-trawl catch, Solomon Sea, 07 ° 44 ′ S, 158 ° 30 ′ E, Salomon 2 cruise, R / V Alis, st. CP 2200, beam trawl, 325 – 331 m depth, 25 Oct. 2004 (see also Richer de Forges 2004).	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2023): Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the West Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179-205, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2
039287FEFC26FF8476BAEABEFA2B9474.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Hind margin of preopercle with two blunt spines; dorsal-fin rays 98 – 104; anal-fin rays 85 – 88; pectoral-fin rays 26 – 27; precaudal vertebrae 13; total vertebrae 58 – 60; pseudobranchial filaments 4; long rakers on anterior gill arch 14 – 15; head length 21 – 22 % SL; pelvic-fin length 11 – 14 % SL, fins not reaching anus; orbit length 4.6 – 5.1 % SL and 22 – 24 % HL; longest gill filament 0.8 – 1.4 % SL and 3.7 – 6.6 % HL; dorsal fin with large central ocellus placed well behind vertical line through anus, spot distance 51 – 54 % SL and spot covers 15 – 17 dorsal-fin rays and extending ventrally to body covering 5 to 7 vertical-scale rows; dorsal half of ocellus in fresh specimens black, ventral half (extension to body) dark brown, connecting ventrally to brown vertical bar; dorsal fin and body anteriorly of ocellus two to three vertical bars, posteriorly more darkly pigmented; preserved specimens with dark-brown, ventrally less conspicuous ocellus, anterior part of lateral line brown, no vertical bars on body; otolith length 5.1 – 5.8 % SL, sulcus length 3.6 – 4.7 % SL, and ostium height 19 – 21 % sulcus length and 28 – 30 % ostium length.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2023): Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the West Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179-205, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2
039287FEFC26FF8476BAEABEFA2B9474.taxon	description	Description. Principal meristic and morphometric characters are shown in Table 2. Morphological and preserved colour description based on HT, if not indicated otherwise. Elongate fish with tapering tail; head and body covered with deciduous scales; origin of dorsal fin above posterior half of pectoral fin; origin of anal fin well in front of midpoint of fish; protruding snout blunt, equal in length to diameter of eye; two blunt spines on posterior margin of preopercle (due to damage, lower spine missing on left side in holotype); opercular spine pointed; anterior gill arch on both sides with one short and four long rakers on upper branch, one long raker at angle and, nine long and six short rakers on lower branch; longest filaments on anterior gill arch 6.6 % HL; four small pseudobranchial filaments; longest gill raker on anterior gill arch 15 % HL. Sagittal otolith (Fig. 3 A). Otolith slightly oval, almost rounded, its depth 1.4 times in its length; sulcus 1.2 times in otolith length; ostium 1.4 times in sulcus length; ostium depth 4.7 times in sulcus length and 3.4 times in ostium length. Dentition. Premaxillaries, palatines, and dentaries with many small, pointed, close-set teeth in irregular rows; vomer boomerang-shaped with many small, pointed teeth; two median basibranchial tooth patches, anterior one long and narrow and posterior one small and circular. Axial skeleton. Precaudal vertebrae 13, all with pointed tip; anterior neural spine almost half as long as second spine; spines on vertebrae 3 – 8 depressed; parapophyses present on vertebrae 7 – 13, pleural ribs on vertebrae 3 – 13, and epipleural ribs indistinct; bases of neural spines 3 – 13 enlarged. Colour. Fresh fish (Fig. 2). Head and body with pale-pink background colour, belly white; head behind and above eye with two brown bands; central ocellus well behind vertical line through anus, ocellus spot surrounded almost entirely by a broad pale whitish-rose ring, spot diameter about three times orbit length, upper half of spot on dorsal fin black, its dark-brown lower half extending down to body, connected at ventral-spot margin with similarly coloured vertical bar which reaches ventral body margin; two to three crescent-shaped bars extending from dorsal fin to body anterior of ocellus, black on dorsal fin and becoming brown on body, the posterior-most bar bordering the central ocellus ring; dark spot on dorsal fin posterior to ocellus connecting to brown area behind and below on body, latter pigmentation along dorsal margin of body, reaching down towards ventral body margin in form of two brown bars, one anterior bar shorter and crescent shaped, bordering ocellus ring, posterior bar thinner and longer; anal fin pale brown, becoming pale transparent towards posterior end; posterior end of dorsal fin and caudal fin pale transparent. Preserved fish (Fig. 1 A). Body and head mostly pale brown, head anterior and posterior of orbit with beige-brown pigmentation patches, lateral line beige-brown in its anterior half, belly whitish; central ocellus placed well behind vertical line through anus, ocellus spot diameter at least three times orbit length, spot covers 17 dorsal-fin rays (14 – 18 in PT’s) and extends onto body, covering six horizontal scale rows (5 – 7 in PT’s); dorsal part of ocellus spot on dorsal fin dark brown, ventral part on body pale brown, but shape of both ocellus spot and ring not fully retained; dorsal fin anterior and posterior of ocellus mostly brown or brown scattered with the pale-whitish ocellus ring well visible, while being inconspicuous on body; anal and caudal fins pale transparent; no vertical bars on body.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2023): Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the West Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179-205, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2
039287FEFC26FF8476BAEABEFA2B9474.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The specific name refers to the large dorsal-fin ocellus.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2023): Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the West Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179-205, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2
039287FEFC26FF8476BAEABEFA2B9474.taxon	distribution	Distribution and size. W Pacific, Central and SE Solomon Sea at 135 – 331 m depth. Known up to 98 mm SL.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2023): Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the West Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179-205, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2
039287FEFC2DFF8B76BAEEB2FAD6941E.taxon	description	Figure 1, Tables 1, 2	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2023): Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the West Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179-205, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2
039287FEFC2DFF8B76BAEEB2FAD6941E.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Hind margin of preopercle with two spines; dorsal-fin rays 88 – 92; anal-fin rays 73 – 77; pectoral-fin rays 26 – 27; precaudal vertebrae 13; total vertebrae 53 – 54; pseudobranchial filaments 8 – 11; long rakers on anterior gill arch 9 – 10; head length 23 – 25 % SL; pelvic-fin length 14 – 19 % SL, fins not reaching anus; orbit length 4.2 – 4.7 % SL and 17 – 19 % HL; longest gill filament 1.6 – 1.8 % SL and 6.7 – 7.4 % HL; dorsal fin with large ocellus placed slightly behind line through anus, spot distance 44 – 49 % SL and spot covers 9 – 13 dorsal-fin rays, not extending ventrally onto body; preserved specimens with dark-brown ocellus spot; no vertical bars on body; otolith length 5.8 – 5.9 % SL, sulcus length 4.7 – 4.8 % SL, and ostium height 13 – 14 % sulcus length and 19 – 20 % ostium length.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2023): Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the West Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179-205, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2
039287FEFC2DFF8B76BAEEB2FAD6941E.taxon	distribution	Distribution and size. SE Indian Ocean, off NW Australia at 42 – 350 m depth. Known up to 245 mm SL.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2023): Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the West Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179-205, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2
039287FEFC2DFF8B76BAEC8DFF4192C5.taxon	description	Figure 1, Tables 1, 2	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2023): Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the West Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179-205, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2
039287FEFC2DFF8B76BAEC8DFF4192C5.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Hind margin of preopercle with two spines; dorsal-fin rays 90 – 95; anal-fin rays 74 – 79; pectoral-fin rays 23 – 26; precaudal vertebrae 12 – 13; total vertebrae 52 – 56; pseudobranchial filaments 5 – 8; long rakers on anterior gill arch 9 – 12; head length 21 – 24 % SL; pelvic-fin length 16 – 24 % SL, fins not reaching beyond anus; orbit length 4.0 – 5.5 % SL and 17 – 25 % HL; longest gill filament 1.4 – 1.9 % SL and 6.4 – 8.7 % HL; dorsal fin with large ocellus placed slightly behind line through anus, the spot distance 42 – 47 % SL and spot covers 9 – 11 dorsal-fin rays, not extending ventrally onto body; preserved specimens with black ocellus spot; no vertical bars on body; otolith length 5.3 – 6.3 % SL, sulcus length 4.5 – 5.3 % SL, and ostium height 11 – 15 % sulcus length and 17 – 23 % ostium length.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2023): Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the West Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179-205, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2
039287FEFC2DFF8B76BAEC8DFF4192C5.taxon	distribution	Distribution and size. SW Pacific, off Queensland and New South Wales at 67 – 357 m depth. Known up to 238 mm SL.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2023): Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the West Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179-205, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2
039287FEFC2DFF8A76BAEAF8FAAC955C.taxon	description	Figure 1, Tables 1, 2 Neobythites unimaculatus Smith & Radcliffe in Radcliffe, 1913: 140, pl. 7 (fig. 2) (near Mabul Island, 4 ° 10 ′ 50 ″ N, 118 ° 39 ′ 35 ″ E, Borneo, 310 fathoms; holotype: USNM 74127).	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2023): Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the West Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179-205, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2
039287FEFC2DFF8A76BAEAF8FAAC955C.taxon	materials_examined	New material examined (see Nielsen 2002 for all other material examined including types). MNHN 2005 - 3413, 130 mm SL, Coral Sea, 15 ° 6 ′ 0 ″ S, 156 ° 57 ′ 0 ″ E, Salomon 2 cruise, R / V Alis, st. CP 2317, beam trawl 215 – 300 m, 16 Nov. 2004.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2023): Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the West Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179-205, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2
039287FEFC2DFF8A76BAEAF8FAAC955C.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Hind margin of preopercle with two spines; dorsal-fin rays 90 – 99; anal-fin rays 73 – 81; pectoral-fin rays 27 – 30; precaudal vertebrae 12 – 13; total vertebrae 53 – 57; pseudobranchial filaments 4 – 8; long rakers on anterior gill arch 8 – 12; head length 21 – 25 % SL; pelvic-fin length 12 – 20 % SL, fins not reaching anus; orbit length 4.0 – 5.4 % SL and 18 – 24 % HL; longest gill filament 1.2 – 2.2 % SL and 5.0 – 9.7 % HL; dorsal fin with large ocellus placed slightly behind line through anus, spot distance 43 – 50 % SL and spot covers 5 – 11 dorsal-fin rays, rarely extending ventrally onto body; preserved specimens with dark-brown ocellus spot; no vertical bars on body; otolith length 5.1 – 5.8 % SL, sulcus length 3.9 – 4.7 % SL, and ostium height 14 – 18 % sulcus length and 20 – 24 % ostium length.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2023): Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the West Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179-205, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2
039287FEFC2DFF8A76BAEAF8FAAC955C.taxon	distribution	Distribution and size. Japan to northwestern Australia and eastward to Fiji Islands at 146 – 567 m depth. New record for Coral Sea. Known up to 218 mm SL. Comparisons. Neobythites superocellatus n. sp. differs from the three other australiensis - group species with a larger central ocellus which is positioned further posteriorly on the dorsal fin and the spot extending onto the body; it differs also in having more anal-fin rays, total vertebrae and gill rakers, and a higher otolith ostium height relative to sulcus and ostium length; it differs from N. australiensis and N. nigriventris in having more dorsal-fin rays and from N. australiensis in having a shorter head and gill filaments; it differs from N. nigriventris in having shorter pelvic fins. Neobythites australiensis differs from N. nigriventris in absence vs. presence of black-speckled pigment on abdomen, the combination of slightly more pectoral-fin rays and pseudobranchial filaments, slightly more dorsal-fin rays and vertebrae above anal-fin origin, and slightly longer postorbital; it differs from N. unimaculatus in the combination of slightly more pectoral-fin rays and pseudobranchial filaments, a slightly larger ocellus spot and slightly higher otolith ostium related to sulcus and ostium length. Neobythites nigriventris differs from N. unimaculatus in presence vs. absence of black-speckled pigment on abdomen, more pectoral-fin rays, and slightly longer and higher ostium related to sulcus length.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2023): Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the West Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179-205, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2
039287FEFC2DFF8A76BAEAF8FAAC955C.taxon	discussion	Remarks. Neobythites superocellatus has the largest ocellus of all ocellus-bearing congeners and its ocellus is also unique in covering a large number of vertical scale rows on body and connecting to a vertical bar ventrally. The specimen from Japan reported by Okamoto et al. (2011) as N. australiensis was found to be an undescribed species and is reported further below as part of the newly established kenyaensis species group. Neobythites australiensis has no anterior ocellus, but has spots in some specimens. Neobythites unimaculatus requires a revision. The wide distribution of this species and the wide ranges of several counts and measurements deserve a detailed comparative study among the different populations, involving material from the distribution area of the putative junior synonym N. nigromaculatus (Japan to Taiwan)	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2023): Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the West Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179-205, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2
039287FEFC2CFF8876BAEB73FF5595C8.taxon	description	Figures 3 – 4, Tables 1, 3	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2023): Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the West Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179-205, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2
039287FEFC2CFF8876BAEB73FF5595C8.taxon	materials_examined	Holotype. KAUM - I. 37071, 167 mm SL, female, W Pacific, west of Okinawa Island, Japan, ca. 100 m depth, 16 May 1998.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2023): Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the West Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179-205, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2
039287FEFC2CFF8876BAEB73FF5595C8.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Hind margin of preopercle with two spines; dorsal-fin rays 91; anal-fin rays 75; pectoral-fin rays 26; precaudal vertebrae 13; total vertebrae 52; pseudobranchial filaments 6; long rakers on anterior gill arch 11; head length 23 % SL; pelvic-fin length 16 % SL, fins not reaching anus; orbit length 4.1 % SL and 18 % HL; longest gill filament 1.6 % SL and 7.1 % HL; dorsal fin with two ocelli, one smaller ocellus placed close to fin origin, spot distance 29 % SL and spot covers 6 dorsal-fin rays, and a larger central ocellus placed behind line through anus, spot distance 46 % SL and spot covers 9 dorsal-fin rays; both ocellus spots not extending ventrally onto body; preserved specimens with two dark-brown ocellus spots; no vertical bars on body; otolith length 5.3 % SL, sulcus length 4.2 % SL, and ostium height 15 % sulcus length and 23 % ostium length.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2023): Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the West Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179-205, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2
039287FEFC2CFF8876BAEB73FF5595C8.taxon	description	Description. The principal meristic and morphometric characters are shown in Table 3. Body elongate with indistinct lateral line; body and head covered by deciduous cycloid scales; origin of dorsal-fin above middle of pectoral-fin; origin of anal fin slightly in front of midpoint of fish; snout slightly blunt, equal in length to diameter of eye window; two distinct spines on hind margin of preopercle; opercular spine short and pointed; anterior gill arch on both sides with 5 short and 2 long rakers on upper branch, one long raker at angle, and 7 – 8 long and 6 – 7 short rakers on lower branch; longest filaments on anterior gill arch 7.1 % HL; longest gill raker on anterior gill arch 13 % HL. Sagittal otolith (Fig. 3 B). Otolith oval, pointed at posterior end, its depth 2.0 times in its length; sulcus 1.3 times in otolith length; ostium 1.5 times in sulcus length; ostium depth 6.5 times in sulcus length and 4.4 times in ostium length. Dentition. Premaxillaries, palatines, and dentaries with many small, pointed, close-set teeth in irregular rows; vomer boomerang-shaped with many small, pointed teeth; two median basibranchial tooth patches, anterior one long and narrow and posterior one small and circular. Axial skeleton. Precaudal vertebrae 13, all with pointed tip; anterior neural spine about half as long as second spine; neural spines on vertebrae 3 – 10 depressed; parapophyses developed on vertebrae 8 – 13, pleural ribs on vertebrae 4 – 13, and epipleural ribs indistinct; bases of neural spines 3 – 13 enlarged. Colour. Preserved fish (Fig. 4 A). Body and head in preserved HT mostly pale brown and mottled, lateral line pale beige, mostly indistinct, belly whitish; two distinct ocelli, one anterior and central ocellus placed behind vertical line through anus, central-ocellus spot diameter about twice orbit length, covering 9 dorsal-fin rays, not extending ventrally onto body; contrasting pale whitish-grayish ring surrounds central-ocellus spot almost entirely; anterior ocellus placed closely behind dorsal-fin origin, its spot diameter about orbit length, covering 6 dorsal-fin rays, not extending onto body below; contrasting pale ring almost completely surrounds anterior ocellus spot; dorsal fin between ocelli and posterior of central ocellus pale brown ventrally, lighter dorsally and distally towards caudal fin, anal fin rather pale along first two-thirds, then slightly pale-brown, pigmented like dorsal and caudal fins in posterior tail region; no vertical bars.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2023): Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the West Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179-205, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2
039287FEFC2CFF8876BAEB73FF5595C8.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The species name refers to the type locality.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2023): Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the West Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179-205, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2
039287FEFC2CFF8876BAEB73FF5595C8.taxon	distribution	Distribution and size. Only known from HT (167 mm SL) caught west of Okinawa, Japan, at a depth of ca. 100 m.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2023): Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the West Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179-205, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2
039287FEFC2EFF8F76BAE8CFFC4697E4.taxon	description	Figure 4, Tables 1, 3	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2023): Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the West Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179-205, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2
039287FEFC2EFF8F76BAE8CFFC4697E4.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. No spines on hind margin of preopercle; dorsal-fin rays 97 – 102; anal-fin rays 80 – 84; pectoral-fin rays 26 – 32; precaudal vertebrae 13; total vertebrae 55 – 59; pseudobranchial filaments 2 – 4; long rakers on anterior gill arch 8 – 10; head length 20 – 21 % SL; pelvic-fin length 10 – 12 % SL, fins not reaching anus; orbit length 4.3 – 5.3 % SL and 22 – 31 % HL; longest gill filament 1.4 – 2.4 % SL and 6.9 – 12 % HL; dorsal fin with two ocelli, one slightly smaller ocellus placed closer to fin origin, spot distance 29 – 35 % SL and spot covers 6 – 9 dorsal-fin rays, and slightly larger central ocellus placed well behind line through anus, spot distance 56 – 64 % SL and spot covers 8 – 15 dorsal-fin rays; both ocellus spots not extending ventrally onto body; fresh and recently preserved specimens with two black ocellus spots and posterior part of dorsal fin and anal fin with a black stripe; no vertical bars on body; otolith length 5.9 – 5.8 % SL, sulcus length 3.4 – 4.7 % SL, and ostium height 20 – 24 % sulcus length and 29 – 37 % ostium length.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2023): Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the West Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179-205, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2
039287FEFC2EFF8F76BAE8CFFC4697E4.taxon	distribution	Distribution and size. SW Indian Ocean: from Kenya, off Ras Ngomeni, to Tanzania, Mozambique, and off Durban, Natal (South Africa) at 238 – 457 m depth. Known up to 162 mm SL.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2023): Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the West Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179-205, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2
039287FEFC29FF8F76BAEFDBFB0A9327.taxon	description	Figure 4, Tables 1, 3	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2023): Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the West Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179-205, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2
039287FEFC29FF8F76BAEFDBFB0A9327.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. No or one thin and flat spine on hind margin of preopercle; dorsal-fin rays 95 – 100; anal-fin rays 81 – 85; pectoral-fin rays 24 – 27; precaudal vertebrae 12; total vertebrae 56 – 58; pseudobranchial filaments 3 – 4; long rakers on anterior gill arch 14 – 16; head length 21 – 24 % SL; pelvic-fin length 16 – 22 % SL, fins not extending beyond anus; orbit length 5.3 – 6.1 % SL and 22 – 28 % HL; longest gill filament 1.7 – 2.6 % SL and 7.3 – 8.4 % HL; dorsal fin with two ocelli, one smaller ocellus placed closer to fin origin, spot distance 28 – 30 % SL and spot covers 5 – 7 dorsal-fin rays, and slightly larger central ocellus placed behind line through anus, spot distance 45 – 50 % SL and spot covers 8 – 11 dorsal-fin rays; both ocellus spots not extending ventrally onto body; preserved specimens with two black ocellus spots; no vertical bars on body; otolith length 5.6 – 5.8 % SL, sulcus length 4.0 – 4.3 % SL, and ostium height 18 – 21 % sulcus length and 28 – 34 % ostium length.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2023): Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the West Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179-205, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2
039287FEFC29FF8F76BAEFDBFB0A9327.taxon	distribution	Distribution and size. SW Atlantic, off Bahia, E Brazil at 233 – 641 m depth. Known up to 148 mm SL. Comparisons. Neobythites japonicus n. sp. differs from N. kenyaensis and N. ocellatus in having two vs. 0 or 1 reduced preopercular spines, fewer dorsal-fin rays, anal-fin rays, and vertebrae, more pseudobranchial filaments, smaller eyes, and shallower otolith ostium height; furthermore, it differs from N. kenyaensis in having both ocelli placed more anterior on the dorsal fin and longer head and pelvic fin; and it differs from N. ocellatus in having fewer gill rakers and shorter gill filaments. Neobythites kenyaensis differs from N. ocellatus in having more precaudal vertebrae, fewer gill rakers, shorter upper jaw and pelvic fin, and more posteriorly placed ocelli.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2023): Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the West Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179-205, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2
039287FEFC29FF8F76BAEFDBFB0A9327.taxon	discussion	Remarks. Okamoto et al. 2011 considered the colour structure close to the dorsal-fin origin to be merely a black blotch. However, our re-examination revealed a clear ring surrounding the spot (Fig. 4 A). Neobythites ocellatus only has posterior spots, but no posterior ocelli (Nielsen et al. 2009)	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2023): Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the West Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179-205, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2
039287FEFC29FF8D76BAE91FFAB1914C.taxon	description	Figures 3, 5, Tables 1, 4	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2023): Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the West Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179-205, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2
039287FEFC29FF8D76BAE91FFAB1914C.taxon	materials_examined	Holotype. MNHN 2002 - 3883, 119 mm SL, Solomon Sea, 9 ° 31 ′ S, 160 ° 35 ′ E, Salomon 1 cruise, R / V Alis, st. CP 1802, 245 – 269 m, 2 Oct. 2001. Paratype. MNHN 2023 - 0262, 122 mm, same collecting data as HT. Fresh colour photo (Fig. 5 B). One adult specimen (sample not retained, size not known) photographed shortly after being caught, Solomon Sea, 9 ° 47 ′ S, 160 ° 53 ′ E, Salomonboa cruise, st. CP 2854, beam trawl, 261 – 278 m depth, 25 Sep 2007 (see also Richer de Forges 2007).	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2023): Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the West Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179-205, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2
039287FEFC29FF8D76BAE91FFAB1914C.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Hind margin of preopercle with two small but distinct spines; dorsal-fin rays 91 – 92; anal-fin rays 72 – 76; pectoral-fin rays 28 – 29; precaudal vertebrae 13; total vertebrae 53; pseudobranchial filaments 5; long rakers on anterior gill arch 10; head length 24 % SL; pelvic-fin length 29 – 32 % SL, fins extending beyond anus; orbit length 5.1 – 5.2 % SL and 21 – 22 % HL; longest gill filament 1.7 – 1.8 % SL and 7.1 – 7.8 % HL; dorsal fin with central ocellus, spot distance 45 – 46 % SL and spot covers 11 – 12 dorsal-fin rays, placed just behind line through anus; ocellus spot black in fresh and preserved status, not extending ventrally onto body; when fresh, four pale brown vertical bars from dorsal fin down to body or anal fin; no bars in preserved specimens; otolith length 5.4 % SL, sulcus length 4.6 – 4.8 % SL, and ostium height 15 – 17 % sulcus length and 22 – 26 % ostium length.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2023): Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the West Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179-205, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2
039287FEFC29FF8D76BAE91FFAB1914C.taxon	description	Description. The principal meristic and morphometric characters are shown in Table 4. Morphological and preserved colour description based on HT, if not indicated otherwise. Fish elongate with indistinct lateral line; body and head covered by deciduous cycloid scales; origin of dorsal-fin above anterior third of pectoral fin; origin of anal fin slightly in front of midpoint of fish; snout slightly blunt, equal in length to diameter of eye window; two small but distinct spines on hind margin of preopercle; opercular spine pointed; anterior gill arch on both sides with 5 short and 2 long rakers on upper branch, one long raker at angle, and 7 long and 5 short rakers on lower branch; longest filaments on anterior gill arch 7.8 % HL; longest gill raker on anterior gill arch 12 % HL. Sagittal otolith (Fig. 3 C). Otolith oval, tapering in posterior half, its depth 1.8 times in its length; sulcus 1.2 times in otolith length; ostium 1.4 times in sulcus length; ostium depth 6.5 times in sulcus length and 4.6 times in ostium length. Dentition. Premaxillaries, palatines, and dentaries with many pointed, close-set teeth in irregular rows; vomer boomerang-shaped with many small teeth; two median basibranchial tooth patches, anterior one long and narrow and posterior one small and rounded. Axial skeleton. Characters from both HT and PT; precaudal vertebrae 13, all with pointed tips; anterior neural spine half the length of second spine; spines on vertebrae 2 – 8 depressed; parapophyses on vertebrae 8 – 13, pleural ribs on vertebrae 2 – 3 to 13, and epipleural ribs not observed; bases of vertebrae 3 – 4 to 11 – 12 enlarged. Colour. Fresh fish (Fig. 5 B). Head and body with pale-beige background colour, belly pale silvery-gray; dorsal half of head and body brown marbled, four irregularly shaped, vertical brown bars reaching from below dorsal fin to lower body half, posterior two bars ending at anal fin; a black central ocellus, spot not extending onto body below dorsal fin; ocellus ring only faintly visible along ventral side of ocellus spot due to tightly folded dorsal fin, dorsal fin behind ocellus partly dark-brown pigmented, connecting in part to posterior two vertical bars; anal fin hyaline apart from brown pigmentation areas connected to two posterior bars and along posterior margin of fin; pelvic fins hyaline. Preserved fish (Fig. 5 A). Body and head mostly pale brown, dorsal third of head and body with brownish lines or stripes of various length, one incomplete stripe along lateral line; abdomen anteriorly whitish, mingled with dark-gray patches which widen posteriorly; distinct central ocellus placed just behind vertical line through anus, dark-brown ocellus spot more than twice orbit length, covering 11 dorsal-fin rays and contrasting pale-whitish ring surrounding ocellus spot entirely, spot not extending onto body below dorsal fin; dorsal fin anterior and posterior of spot with weak pale gray pigmentation, becoming lighter posteriorly; anal, pelvic and caudal fin hyaline.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2023): Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the West Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179-205, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2
039287FEFC29FF8D76BAE91FFAB1914C.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The new species name “ jonathan ” is used as a noun in apposition and acknowledges Mr. Jonathan Pfliger, MNHN fish collection manager, for his invaluable assistance in our fish taxonomy research.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2023): Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the West Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179-205, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2
039287FEFC29FF8D76BAE91FFAB1914C.taxon	distribution	Distribution and size. W Pacific, Solomon Sea, at 245 – 269 m depth. At least up to 122 mm SL.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2023): Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the West Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179-205, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2
039287FEFC35FF9376BAEEB2FA9E90DD.taxon	description	Figures 3, 5, Tables 1, 4	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2023): Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the West Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179-205, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2
039287FEFC35FF9376BAEEB2FA9E90DD.taxon	materials_examined	Holotype. ZMUC P 771324, 132 mm SL, female, W Pacifc, off Lakeba, Fiji Is., 18 ° 12 ′ S, 178 ° 36 ′ W, Bordau 1 cruise, R / V Alis, st. CP 1467, beam trawl, 417 – 427 m depth, 6 Mar. 1999.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2023): Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the West Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179-205, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2
039287FEFC35FF9376BAEEB2FA9E90DD.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Hind margin of preopercle with two small spines; dorsal-fin rays 91; anal-fin rays 75; pectoral-fin rays 27; precaudal vertebrae 13; total vertebrae 53; pseudobranchial filaments 5; long rakers on anterior gill arch 10; head length 23 % SL; pelvic-fin length 34 % SL, fins extending well beyond anus; orbit length 5.5 % SL and 24 % HL; longest gill filament 1.3 % SL and 5.7 % HL; dorsal fin with two ocelli, larger central ocellus placed just behind vertical line through anus, ocellus spot black, its distance 46 % SL and spot covers 12 dorsal-fin rays, and smaller posterior ocellus placed just behind midpoint of dorsal fin, spot distance 69 % SL and spot covers 7 dorsal-fin rays; both ocellus spots not extending ventrally onto body; no vertical bars on body; otolith length 5.9 % SL, sulcus length 4.8 % SL, and ostium height 16 % sulcus length and 23 % ostium length.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2023): Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the West Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179-205, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2
039287FEFC35FF9376BAEEB2FA9E90DD.taxon	description	Description. The principal meristic and morphometric characters are shown in Table 4. Fish elongate with indistinct lateral line; body and head with deciduous cycloid scales; origin of dorsal fin above anterior third of pectoral fin; origin of anal fin slightly in front of midpoint of fish; snout rather blunt, equal in length to diameter of eye window; two small spines on hind margin of preopercle; opercular spine pointed; anterior gill arch (left side) with 5 short and 2 long rakers on upper branch, one long raker at angle, and 7 long and 5 short rakers on the lower branch; longest filaments on anterior gill arch 5.7 % HL; longest gill raker on anterior gill arch 12 % HL. Sagittal otolith (Fig. 3 D). Otolith oval, egg-shaped, with blunt angle ventrally, its depth 1.7 times in its length; sulcus large, 1.2 times in otolith length; ostium 1.4 times in sulcus length; ostium depth 6.1 times in sulcus length and 4.4 times in ostium length. Dentition. Premaxillaries, palatines, and dentaries with many pointed, close-set teeth in irregular rows; vomer subtriangular with many small teeth; two median basibranchial tooth patches, anterior one long and narrow and posterior one small and rounded. Axial skeleton. Precaudal vertebrae 13, all with pointed tips; anterior neural spine half length of second spine; spines on vertebrae 2 – 8 depressed; parapophyses on vertebrae 8 – 13, pleural ribs on vertebra 3 – 12, and no epipleural ribs observed; basis of vertebrae 4 – 13 enlarged. Colour. Preserved fish (Fig. 5 C). Body and head of preserved HT rather uniformly pale brown, dorsal third of head and body with some weakly indicated brownish patches of stripes, one incompletely follows lateral line in anterior half of body; abdomen similar pale brown colour as entire body; two distinct ocelli, central ocellus placed at midpoint of fish just behind anus and posterior ocellus placed just behind midpoint of dorsal fin; central-ocellus spot about twice orbit length, covering 12 dorsal-fin rays, not extending onto body below, posterior ocellus spot about orbit length, covering 7 dorsal-fin rays, not extending onto body below fin; contrasting pale rings surrounding both ocellus spots distinct, becoming particularly well visible when erecting dorsal fin; latter with pale brown pigmentation in between ocelli and behind posterior ocellus; pelvic, pectoral, and anal fins hyaline, caudal fin weakly pigmented.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2023): Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the West Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179-205, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2
039287FEFC35FF9376BAEEB2FA9E90DD.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The new species name “ zora ” is used as a noun in apposition and acknowledges Mrs. Zouhaira “ Zora ” Harakati Gabsi, MNHN fish collection manager, for her invaluable assistance in our fish taxonomy research.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2023): Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the West Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179-205, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2
039287FEFC35FF9376BAEEB2FA9E90DD.taxon	distribution	Distribution and size. Only known from HT (132 mm SL), W Pacific, off Fiji, at 417 – 427 m depth.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2023): Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the West Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179-205, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2
039287FEFC35FF9276BAE8C0FF419798.taxon	description	Figure 5, Tables 1, 4	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2023): Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the West Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179-205, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2
039287FEFC35FF9276BAE8C0FF419798.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Hind margin of preopercle with two spines; dorsal-fin rays 90 – 94; anal-fin rays 73 – 76; pectoral-fin rays 25 – 27; precaudal vertebrae 13; total vertebrae 53 – 55; pseudobranchial filaments 4 – 6; long rakers on anterior gill arch 10 – 12; head length 22 – 24 % SL; pelvic-fin length 32 – 34 % SL, fins reaching well beyond anus; orbit length 4.7 – 5.1 % SL and 20 – 24 % HL; longest gill filament 1.3 – 1.9 % SL and 5.3 – 8.3 % HL; dorsal fin with two ocelli, one small ocellus with incomplete contrasting ring (ring missing anteriorly) placed at fin origin, spot distance 26 – 27 % SL and spot covers 2 – 4 dorsal-fin rays, and large central ocellus placed well behind vertical line through anus, spot distance 46 – 50 % SL and spot covers 7 – 9 dorsal-fin rays; both ocellus spots not extending ventrally onto body; no vertical bars on body; otolith length 5.4 – 5.7 % SL, sulcus length 4.3 – 4.6 % SL, and ostium height 15 – 19 % sulcus length and 25 – 28 % ostium length.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2023): Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the West Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179-205, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2
039287FEFC35FF9276BAE8C0FF419798.taxon	distribution	Distribution and size. W Pacific, off Philippines to Caledonia and Fiji, at 219 – 427 m depth. Known up to 148 mm SL.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2023): Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the West Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179-205, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2
039287FEFC34FF9276BAEC07FC869392.taxon	description	Figure 5, Tables 1, 4 Neobythites longipes Smith & Radcliffe in Radcliffe, 1913: 139, pl. 7 (fig. 1) (off Jolo Island, 06 ° 02 ′ 00 ″ N, 120 ° 44 ′ 40 ″ E, Philippines, 258 fathoms; holotype: USNM 74126).	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2023): Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the West Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179-205, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2
039287FEFC34FF9276BAEC07FC869392.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Hind margin of preopercle with single spine; dorsal-fin rays 96 – 103; anal-fin rays 79 – 87; pectoral-fin rays 27 – 30; precaudal vertebrae 13 – 14; total vertebrae 57 – 60; pseudobranchial filaments 5 – 10; long rakers on anterior gill arch 8 – 10; head length 22 – 25 % SL; pelvic-fin length 28 – 54 % SL, fins reaching well beyond anus; orbit length 3.9 – 5.0 % SL and 17 – 22 % HL; longest gill filament 1.3 – 2.7 % SL and 5.7 – 11 % HL; dorsal fin with a central ocellus, placed behind vertical line through anus, the spot distance being 42 – 53 % SL and the spot covering 9 – 13 dorsal-fin rays; ocellus spot not extending ventrally to body; no vertical bars on body in preserved and fresh specimens (see also Uiblein & Nielsen 2018); otolith length 4.8 – 6.2 % SL, sulcus length 4.3 – 4.9 % SL, and ostium height 12 – 15 % sulcus length and 20 – 21 % ostium length.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2023): Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the West Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179-205, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2
039287FEFC34FF9276BAEC07FC869392.taxon	distribution	Distribution and size. W Pacific, off Philippines to Western Australia, at 150 – 481 m depth. Known up to 301 mm SL. Comparisons. Neobythites jonathan n. sp. differs from N. zora in having only a single ocellus vs. two ocelli, longer upper jaw and gill filaments, smaller eyes, shorter pelvic fins; it differs from N. longiventralis in having only a single ocellus vs. two ocelli, a smaller central-ocellus spot and more pectoral-fin rays; and, together with N. zora n. sp., it differs from N. longipes in having fewer dorsal-fin rays, anal-fin rays, and total vertebrae. Neobythites zora n. sp. differs from the three other species in having a posterior ocellus vs. none; it differs from N. longiventralis in having a larger central-ocellus spot and from both N. longiventralis and N. longipes in having a larger orbit length in % SL. Neobythites longiventralis differs from the other three species in having an anterior ocellus vs. none; it differs from N. longipes in having fewer dorsal- and anal-fin rays, fewer vertebrae, and a slightly smaller central-ocellus spot.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2023): Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the West Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179-205, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2
039287FEFC34FF9276BAEC07FC869392.taxon	discussion	Remarks. Neobythites longipes was placed in the steatiticus species group by Uiblein & Nielsen (2018), but is now included in the newly established longiventralis group.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2023): Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the West Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179-205, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2
039287FEFC37FF9576BAEEFAFECE95C8.taxon	description	Figures 3, 6, 7; Tables 1, 5, 6	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2023): Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the West Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179-205, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2
039287FEFC37FF9576BAEEFAFECE95C8.taxon	materials_examined	Holotype. MNHN 2006 - 0337, 165 mm SL, Solomon Sea, 8 ° 6 ′ 25.2 ″ S, 157 ° 23 ′ 2.4 ″ E, Salomon 2 cruise, R / V Alis, st. CP 2286, 248 – 253 m depth, 6 Nov. 2004.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2023): Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the West Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179-205, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2
039287FEFC37FF9576BAEEFAFECE95C8.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Hind margin of preopercle with very short spine; dorsal-fin rays 92; anal-fin rays 77; pectoral-fin rays 28; precaudal vertebrae 13; total vertebrae 56; pseudobranchial filaments 2; long rakers on anterior gill arch 10; head length 22 % SL; pelvic-fin length 14 % SL, fins not reaching anus; orbit length 4.5 % SL and 21 % HL; longest gill filament 1.9 % SL and 8.8 % HL; dorsal fin with central ocellus placed well behind vertical line through anus, spot distance 46 % SL and spot covers 7 dorsal-fin rays, not extending ventrally onto body; ocellus spot dark brown; posterior two-thirds of anal fin black; no vertical bars on body; otolith length 4.8 % SL, sulcus length 3.8 % SL, and ostium height 17 % sulcus length and 25 % ostium length.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2023): Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the West Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179-205, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2
039287FEFC37FF9576BAEEFAFECE95C8.taxon	description	Description. The principal meristic and morphometric characters are shown in Table 5. Elongate fish with complete lateral line; head and body covered by deciduous, cycloid scales; origin of dorsal fin above middle of pectoral fin; origin of anal fin slightly in front of midpoint of fish; snout blunt and equal in length to diameter of eye window; very short spine on hind margin of preopercle; opercular spine short and pointed; anterior gill arch on both sides with 4 short and 2 long rakers on upper branch, one long raker at angle, and 7 long and 6 – 8 short rakers on lower branch; longest filaments on anterior gill arch 8.8 % HL and longest raker on anterior gill arch 10 % HL. Sagittal otolith (Fig. 3 E). Otolith peanut-shaped, ventrally rounded, dorsally and anteriorly flattened, posteriorly blunt, its depth 1.7 times in its length; sulcus large, 1.3 times in otolith length; ostium 1.5 times in sulcus length; ostium depth 5.4 times in sulcus length and 3.6 times in ostium length. Dentition. Premaxillaries, palatines, and dentaries with many small, pointed, close-set teeth in irregular rows; vomer boomerang-shaped with many, pointed teeth; two median basibranchial tooth patches, anterior one long and narrow and posterior one small and circular. Axial skeleton. Precaudal vertebrae 13, all with pointed tip; anterior neural spine almost half length of second spine; neural spines on vertebrae 1 – 9 somewhat depressed, parapophyses present on vertebrae 8 – 13, pleural ribs on vertebrae 3 – 13 and epipleural ribs indistinct; basis of neural spines 4 – 13 enlarged. Colour. Preserved fish (Fig. 6 A). Body and head of preserved HT rather uniformly pale brown, slightly darker dorsally and in snout region, gill cover anteriorly gray brown, posteriorly pale, lateral line indistinct, abdomen pale gray anterior of anus; single ocellus placed well behind vertical line through anus at body midpoint, central-ocellus spot dark brown, slightly larger than orbit diameter, covering 7 dorsal-fin rays, not extending onto body below dorsal fin, ocellus ring pale, rather indistinct on folded fin, becoming more distinct when fin is raised; dorsal fin anterior and behind ocellus pale gray brownish, pigmentation becoming somewhat more intense on posterior third towards caudal fin; anal fin almost entirely covered with continuous dark brown stripe behind vertical line through posterior ocellus spot edge; pelvic and pectoral fins hyaline.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2023): Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the West Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179-205, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2
039287FEFC37FF9576BAEEFAFECE95C8.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The new species name “ pako ” is used as a noun in apposition and honours the son of the first author, Francisco “ Pako ” Uiblein.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2023): Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the West Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179-205, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2
039287FEFC37FF9576BAEEFAFECE95C8.taxon	distribution	Distribution and size. Only known from the HT (165 mm SL), caught in bottom trawl in eastern Solomon Sea at 248 – 253 m depth.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2023): Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the West Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179-205, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2
039287FEFC33FF9476BAEDF7FD5F97E4.taxon	description	Figure 6; Tables 1, 5	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2023): Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the West Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179-205, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2
039287FEFC33FF9476BAEDF7FD5F97E4.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Spine on hind margin of preopercle absent or thin and flat; dorsal-fin rays 93 – 99; anal-fin rays 78 – 83; pectoral-fin rays 24 – 27; precaudal vertebrae 12 – 13; total vertebrae 54 – 58; pseudobranchial filaments 4 – 6; long rakers on anterior gill arch 13 – 15; head length 21 – 24 % SL; pelvic-fin length 17 – 23 % SL, fins not extending beyond anus; orbit length 4.9 – 7.0 % SL and 22 – 30 % HL; longest gill filament 1.4 – 2.0 % SL and 6.2 – 9.0 % HL; dorsal fin with central ocellus with black spot placed well behind vertical line through anus, the ocellus spot distance being 41 – 51 % SL and the spot covering 6 – 7 dorsal-fin rays, not extending ventrally to body; no vertical bars on body; otolith length 5.0 – 5.8 % SL, sulcus length 4.0 – 4.7 % SL, and ostium height 18 – 22 % sulcus length and 28 – 34 % ostium length.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2023): Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the West Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179-205, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2
039287FEFC33FF9476BAEDF7FD5F97E4.taxon	distribution	Distribution and size. Found in the tropical W and SW Atlantic from off Honduras and along the north coast of South America to French Guiana and off Bahia, E Brazil, on the continental shelf and upper slope (117 – 439 m). Max. size 154 mm SL. Comparisons. Neobythites pako n. sp. differs clearly from all other steatiticus species in having a very short but distinct single preopercular spine vs. none or only a very weakly formed, flat, or indistinct spine, and in the combination of several colour, meristic, morphometric, and otolith characters (Table 5). It is most similar to N. malayanus and N. stefanovi. From N. malayanus, it differs in longer upper jaw relative to head length in combination with slightly deeper body, shorter pelvic fins and postorbital distance (Fig. 7), and it differs in several otolith characters including shorter and shallower otolith, and shallower ostium relative to SL, sulcus, and ostium length (Table 5; Fig. 3 E, F). It differs from the Indonesian population (type locality) of N. malayanus in having more anal-fin rays, fewer pseudobranchial filaments, and shorter preanal distance, from the Vanuatu population in having in longer gill-filaments and from the Philippine population (which is most similar) in having fewer pseudobranchial filaments (Table 6). It differs from N. stefanovi in its absence of dark dorsal-fin margin, higher number of precaudal vertebrae, vertebrae number below dorsal-fin origin, smaller ocellus spot, and shallower otolith ostium (Table 5). For further comparisons among all other steatiticus group members except for the W Atlantic N. monocellatus, see Uiblein & Nielsen (2018). Neobythites monocellatus differs from N. pako n. sp. in lack of dark stripe along anal fin, more dorsal-, anal- and pectoral fin rays, more pseudobranchial filaments, more developed gill rakers, and longer pelvic fins; N. monocellatus is most similar to six steaticus group species, N. gloriae, N. lombokensis, N. malayanus, N. meteori, N. steatiticus and N. stefanovi, from which it differs in having a combination of relatively high number of dorsal- and anal-fin rays and gill rakers, relatively longer pelvic fins, shorter postorbital distance, and smaller-sized ocellus spot; from the remaining species, N. malhaensis, it differs in fewer pectoral-fin rays, more pseudobranchial filaments, longer pelvic fins, and smaller ocellus spot.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2023): Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the West Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179-205, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2
039287FEFC33FF9476BAEDF7FD5F97E4.taxon	discussion	Remarks. One Neobythites malayanus specimen (length 171 + mm) from off Lombok could not be studied in detail due to missing its tail (Table 6). Like N. unimaculatus, N. malayanus should be studied in more detail regarding geographic differentiation (Table 6, Fig. 7).	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2023): Five new ocellus-bearing species of the cusk-eel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae, Ophidiiformes) from the West Pacific, with establishment of three new species groups. Zootaxa 5336 (2): 179-205, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5336.2.2
