^>euo BREVIORA MnaseTLaim of Compsirative Zoology Cambridge, Mass. December 31, 1963 Number 196 A NEW GENUS AND SPECIES OF BATHYPELAGIC OPHIDIOID FISH FROM THE WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC By Daniel M. Cohen U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Washington, D. C. Through the kindness of Dr. Richard H. Backus of the Woods Hole Oceanographie Institution and Dr. Giles W. Mead of the Museum of Comparative Zoology I have had the opportunity to study the three fishes reported upon below. Although they were taken off the southern edge of Georges Bank, hardly a zoologically unknown area, they represent the first of their kind ever captured. And, indeed, they are so different from any other known ophidioid that still another name must needs be added to the already lengthy roster of genera in this group. ThaLASSOBATHIA gen. nov. Diagnosis. Chin barbel absent. Vertical fins continuoiLS; ventral fins each with two rays, originating close to the level of the posterior margin of the preopercle and a short distance behind the symphysis of the cleithra ; the ventral fins covered with thick skin, short, extending only to the level of the origin of the pec-toral fin; pectoral fin rounded, without separate elongated rays. Branchiostegal membranes separate ; gill rakers reduced in num-ber and size ; branchiostegal rays seven. Preopercular spine pres-ent beneath skin. Anterior nostril lacking a tube, placed high on snout. Teeth present on premaxillary, vomer, palatine and dentary, lacking on basibranchials. Maxillary not expanded pos-teriorly, not sheathed. Premaxillary not protractile, bound to the snout anteriorly by a broad frenum. Head compressed, its height greater than its width. Eyes well developed. Body compressed, relatively short and stubby. Two lateral lines.
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