LAUSR

A new species of the genus Cirrhimuraena (Anguilliformes: Ophichthidae), Cirrhimuraena indica sp. nov., is described based on eight specimens collected from the Paradip (Odisha) and Petuaghat harbours (West Bengal) along the Bay of Bengal. The species is distinct in having upper jaw fringed with 16-17 cirri before posterior nostril and 4-5 in between anterior and posterior nostrils on side; dorsal-fin originates above the level of gill opening, predorsal length 9.3-10.9 in total length; head relatively large, the length 9.3-9.8 in total length; no infraorbital pores between the nostrils; teeth numerous, small, conical and in bands on each jaw; pores before gill opening 10-11 and before anus 47-48; pectoral-fin length 2.4-2.8 in head length; predorsal vertebrae 8-10, preanal vertebrae 43-47 and total vertebrae 164-169. In the maximum likelihood tree analysis for COI gene, the new species belongs to the same clade as other congener of Cirrhimuraena chinensis and separated from the species morphologically and genetically. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.