Digitate cusk eel (Dicrolene intronigra)

Abstract

SwimmingThis is definitely the ophidioid Dicrolene. The elongate free pelvic rays directed forward are characteristic of this taxon, and the large eye and white lateral line pores help. The full ID is probably D. intronigra, common between 800-1800 m both sides of the Atlantic at tropical latitudes. There are about 10 nominal species, but probably only about 4-5 are valid. A key characteristic is the short sharp preopercular spine. In D. intronigra, it is short, straight, and not visible in photos. In the next most likely possibility, D. kanazawai, the spine is longer, curved upward, white, and would be visible in a photo of the present quality