Eptatretus wayuu Mok, Saavedra-Díaz & Acero P., 2001

Family:  Myxinidae (Hagfishes), subfamily: Eptatretinae
Max. size:  21.6 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range - 306 m, non-migratory
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: known only from the Guajira coast near Puerto Bolivar, Colombia, Caribbean Sea.
Diagnosis:  Ventral aorta bifurcated into left and right branches at gill pouches one (anteriormost pouch) or two versus bifurcated at the fifth or sixth gill pouches in congeners and P. springeri. Five branchial apertures arranged in a straight line; lengths of efferent branchial ducts unequal with the first duct about twice the length of the last duct. Last branchial duct confluent with pharyngocutaneous duct, last aperture on the left side much larger than other apertures. Gill apertures 5. Slime pores: prebranchial 24; branchial 2; trunk 38-40; tail 9; total 73-75. Cylindrical body, laterally compressed toward spatulate tail. Caudal and ventral finfold well developed. Head, body, tail and finfold pink when fresh, dark violet in alcohol; eyespots faint, branchial region much lighter colored than other parts of the body; gill aperture margins pale (Ref. 41105).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 11 November 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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