taxonID	type	description	language	source
6570D216FFF18F30FF69E113348451FC.taxon	materials_examined	Holotype. USNM 309008 (male, 158 mm SL), Gulf of Oman, NW Indian Ocean, 25 ° 02 ' N, 56 ° 52 ' E, RV Anton Bruun, cruise 4 B, st. 264 A, bottom trawl, 272 – 291 m depth, 2 Dec 1963. Paratypes (n = 8, 130 – 150 mm SL). BMNH 1904.5. 25.1 (1 male, 150 mm SL), Gulf of Oman, 25 ° 32 ' N, 57 ° 47 ' E, 320 m depth; BMHN 1910.1.31.7 – 10 (3 females and 1 male, 132 – 145 mm SL), Gulf of Oman, 25 ° 35 ' N, 57 ° 47 ' E, 311 m depth; BMHN 1910.1. 31.23 (1 female, 130 mm SL), Arabian Gulf, 10 ' W of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 26 m depth; USNM 440378 (1 male, 140 mm SL), and ZMUC P 771754 (1 female, 131 mm SL), same data as for the holotype.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2018): Review of the steatiticus - species group of the cuskeel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae) from the Indo-Pacific, with description of two new species. Zootaxa 4387 (1): 157-173, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4387.1.7
6570D216FFF18F30FF69E113348451FC.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. No spines on hind margin of preopercle; dorsal fin-rays 90 – 93; anal-fin rays 72 – 76; pectoral finrays 24 – 27; precaudal vertebrae 12; total vertebrae 54 – 56; pseudobranchial filaments 3 – 4; long gill rakers on anterior arch 11 – 13; head length 25.5 – 28.0 % SL; pelvic-fin length 13.5 – 17.0 % SL, pelvic fins not reaching beyond anus; orbit length 5.3 – 5.9 % SL, 19.5 – 23.5 % head length, and 2.0 – 2.2 times in upper-jaw length; longest gill filament 3.9 – 4.9 % SL and 15.5 – 19.0 % head length; ocellus spot placed well posterior to a vertical line through anus, the ocellus-spot distance being 49.0 – 51 % SL, and the spot covering 6 – 8 dorsal-fin rays; margins of posterior fifth to a quarter of dorsal fin and posterior half to two thirds of anal fin dark pigmented; no vertical bars on body; otolith length 4.8 – 5.0 % SL, sulcus length 3.4 – 3.7 % SL, and ostium height 21.0 – 26.5 % sulcus length.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2018): Review of the steatiticus - species group of the cuskeel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae) from the Indo-Pacific, with description of two new species. Zootaxa 4387 (1): 157-173, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4387.1.7
6570D216FFF18F30FF69E113348451FC.taxon	description	Description (based on holotype, differences in paratypes mentioned in round brackets). Rather elongate fish with complete lateral line in preserved specimens; on the anterior half of body, the lateral line runs with 8 – 10 scale rows to dorsal edge, decreasing posteriorad; head and body fully covered with cycloid scales; origin of dorsal fin above hind margin of opercle; origin of anal fin slightly in front of midpoint of fish; tip of pectoral fins ending just above origin of anal fin; pelvic fins reaching almost to origin of anal fin; blunt snout slightly shorter than diameter of eye; upper jaw ending well behind eye; anterior nostril ending in a short tube and the larger posterior nostril in a mere hole; no spines on preopercle; strong opercular spine; anterior gill raker with 1 – 2 (2 – 3) blunt and 3 – 4 (2 – 3) long rakers on upper branch; one long raker in angle and lower branch with eight long and 6 (7) blunt rakers; gill filaments 1.5 – 3.0 (1 – 4) times as long as long rakers; distinct pseudobranchial filaments 3 (3 – 4). Otolith. Otolith oval, its height 1.6 (1.5 – 1.7) times in its length; sulcus large, 1.3 (1.3 – 1.4) times in otolith length; ostium 1.5 times in sulcus length; ostium height 3.3 (2.6 – 3.3) times in ostium length. Dentition. Premaxillaries and dentaries with small, pointed teeth in 3 – 4 irregular rows anteriorly, decreasing to 1 – 2 rows posteriorad. Teeth in outer rows somewhat longer. Vomer triangular with many small, close-set teeth. Palatines with several rows of small, close-set teeth. Two median basibranchial tooth patches, the anterior elongate and the posterior much smaller and circular. Axial skeleton (from radiographs). Precaudal vertebrae 12 and caudal vertebrae 42 (42 – 45) and all neural and haemal spines pointed; first neural spine one third length of second spine, that is longer than the following spines; bases of neural spines more or less enlarged; parapophyses present on posterior 7 – 8 precaudal vertebrae; pleural ribs on vertebrae 3 – 11 (3 – 4 to 10 – 12); epipleural ribs on vertebrae 3 – 8. Colour. Preserved fish (holotype [Figure 1 A] and paratypes). Body mottled brown, abdomen silvery bluish, lateral line pale brown, rather indistinct; head pale brown with brown preopercular area behind eye, gill cover transparent, eyes bluish; ocellus spot dark brown, its horizontal diameter about orbit length, placed well behind a vertical line through anal-fin origin; dorsal and anal fins with pale- to dark-brown distal margins along posterior fifth to quarter of dorsal fin and posterior half to two-thirds of anal fin; margins becoming darker towards dark caudal-fin tip.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2018): Review of the steatiticus - species group of the cuskeel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae) from the Indo-Pacific, with description of two new species. Zootaxa 4387 (1): 157-173, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4387.1.7
6570D216FFF18F30FF69E113348451FC.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The new species name honors the wife of the first author, Gloria Jansen Echevarria.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2018): Review of the steatiticus - species group of the cuskeel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae) from the Indo-Pacific, with description of two new species. Zootaxa 4387 (1): 157-173, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4387.1.7
6570D216FFF18F30FF69E113348451FC.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Inner Gulf of Oman, NW Indian Ocean, at 272 – 320 m depth, and southern Arabian Gulf, United Arab Emirates, at 26 m depth. Comparisons. Neobythites gloriae n. sp. differs from all congeners by the following combination of characters: a single ocellus placed on dorsal fin at mid-body, preopercular spines lacking, 11 – 13 developed gill rakers, head length 25.5 – 28.0 % SL, gill filament length 3.9 – 4.9 % SL, orbit length 19.5 – 23.5 % head length and 45 – 50 % upper-jaw length, and otolith sulcus length 3.4 – 3.7 % SL.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2018): Review of the steatiticus - species group of the cuskeel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae) from the Indo-Pacific, with description of two new species. Zootaxa 4387 (1): 157-173, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4387.1.7
6570D216FFF18F30FF69E113348451FC.taxon	description	Neobythites gloriae n. sp. is most similar to N. stefanovi, sharing the following characters: dorsal fin with one ocellus, preopercular spine absent, pelvic fins ending anterior to anus, similar number of long rakers on anterior gill arch, eyes five times or less in head length, and similar otolith sulcus length. Neobythites gloriae differs from N. stefanovi having longer gill filaments (3.9 – 4.9 vs. 1.4 – 3.7 % SL) and a slightly smaller ocellus spot (spot covering 6 – 8 vs. 8 – 12 dorsal-fin rays). These two characters in combination with head length, orbit length, and ocellus-spot distance best distinguish N. gloriae from N. steatiticus and N. steatiticus from N. stefanovi (Figure 3; Tables 1 – 3).	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2018): Review of the steatiticus - species group of the cuskeel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae) from the Indo-Pacific, with description of two new species. Zootaxa 4387 (1): 157-173, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4387.1.7
6570D216FFF18F30FF69E113348451FC.taxon	discussion	Remarks. The description of Neobythites gloriae n. sp. is based on three former N. stefanovi paratypes from the inner Gulf of Oman (Nielsen & Uiblein 1993) and six specimens previously identified as N. steatiticus (Nielsen 1995). Apart from this earlier misidentified material, no additional specimens and no photographs of fresh fish were available for our study. The depth of 26 m reported for the single Arabian Gulf specimen (BMHN 1910.1.31.23), indicated as questionable by Nielsen (1995), is here confirmed based on original data recordings available from NHM.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2018): Review of the steatiticus - species group of the cuskeel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae) from the Indo-Pacific, with description of two new species. Zootaxa 4387 (1): 157-173, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4387.1.7
6570D216FFF38F36FF69E06136F151FD.taxon	materials_examined	Holotype. ZMUC P 77744 (93 mm SL), SE of Lombok Island, Indonesia, Eastern Indian Ocean, 8 ° 58 ’ S, 116 ° 34 ’ E, JETINDOFISH, sta. TGT 1717, bottom trawl, 150 – 280 m depth, July 1981.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2018): Review of the steatiticus - species group of the cuskeel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae) from the Indo-Pacific, with description of two new species. Zootaxa 4387 (1): 157-173, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4387.1.7
6570D216FFF38F36FF69E06136F151FD.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. No spines on hind margin of preopercle; dorsal fin-rays 91; anal-fin rays 72; pectoral fin-rays 29; precaudal vertebrae 13; total vertebrae 53; pseudobranchial filaments 3; long gill rakers on anterior arch 7; head length 23.0 % SL; pelvic-fin length 13.0 % SL, pelvic fins not reaching beyond anus; orbit length 5.2 % SL, 22.5 % head length, and 53 % upper-jaw length; longest gill filament 2.2 % SL and 9.4 % head length; ocellus spot originating just behind at a vertical line through anus, the ocellus-spot distance being 43.0 % SL, and the spot covering 14 dorsal-fin rays; dorsal and anal fins not or only patchily pigmented; no vertical bars on body; otolith length 4.8 % SL, sulcus length 3.2 % SL, and ostium height 26.0 % sulcus length.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2018): Review of the steatiticus - species group of the cuskeel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae) from the Indo-Pacific, with description of two new species. Zootaxa 4387 (1): 157-173, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4387.1.7
6570D216FFF38F36FF69E06136F151FD.taxon	description	Description. Body rather elongate; complete lateral line running close to dorsal edge; head and body covered with cycloid scales; origin of dorsal fin well behind opercle; origin of anal fin slightly anterior to midpoint of fish; tip of pectoral fin well in front of anal fin origin; pelvic fins reaching halfway to origin of anal fin; blunt snout shorter than diameter of eye; upper jaw ends below posterior half of eye; anterior nostril with low rim and larger posterior nostril a mere hole; spine absent on posterior margin of preopercle; opercular spine strong and straight; anterior gill arch with 2 – 3 short and 1 long raker on upper branch, 1 long raker in angle and lower branch with 5 long and 6 short rakers; gill filaments twice the length of the long rakers; three distinct pseudobranchial filaments. Otolith (Nielsen 2002, fig. 48 B). Otolith oval, its height 1.5 times in its length; sulcus large, 1.5 times in otolith length; ostium length 1.7 times in sulcus length; ostium height 2.3 in ostium length. Dentition. Premaxillaries and dentaries with irregular tooth rows, teeth on outer rows needle-like. Blunt teeth on subtriangular vomer and palatines. Two median basibranchial tooth patches, the anterior oblong and posterior smaller and circular. Axial skeleton (from radiograph). Precaudal 13 and caudal vertebrae 40; tip of all neural and haemal spines thin and pointed; first neural spine half length of second spine; vertebrae 3 – 5 with slightly depressed neural spines; bases of vertebral spines 5 – 8 enlarged; parapophyses present on posterior seven precaudal vertebrae; pleural ribs on vertebrae 3 – 13; epipleural ribs not observed. Colour (fresh fish; Figure 1 B 2). Body mottled pale-brown to brown, becoming paler posteriorly, abdomen whitish blue, lateral line indistinct; head brown dorsally and pale brown below and behind eye, gill cover pale; ocellus with large black spot, its horizontal diameter more than twice of orbit length, placed above anterior part of anal fin; posterior parts of dorsal fin and nearly entire anal fin patchily covered with pale-brown or brown pigment; no margin or band on anal fin. Colour (preserved fish; holotype after 36 years of preservation, Figure 1 B 1). Body and head mottled brown, abdomen and eyes bluish, lateral line indistinct; gill cover transparent, inside of peritoneum with many black spots of various sizes; ocellus spot dark-brown; patchily distributed traces of brown pigmentation on dorsal and anal fins.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2018): Review of the steatiticus - species group of the cuskeel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae) from the Indo-Pacific, with description of two new species. Zootaxa 4387 (1): 157-173, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4387.1.7
6570D216FFF38F36FF69E06136F151FD.taxon	etymology	Etymology. Named after the type locality, SE off Lombok Island, southern Indonesia.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2018): Review of the steatiticus - species group of the cuskeel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae) from the Indo-Pacific, with description of two new species. Zootaxa 4387 (1): 157-173, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4387.1.7
6570D216FFF38F36FF69E06136F151FD.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Single type specimen trawled SE of Lombok Island, Indonesia, Eastern Indian Ocean, at 150 – 280 m depth.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2018): Review of the steatiticus - species group of the cuskeel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae) from the Indo-Pacific, with description of two new species. Zootaxa 4387 (1): 157-173, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4387.1.7
6570D216FFF38F36FF69E06136F151FD.taxon	biology_ecology	Biology. The holotype is an unripe female caught between the lower shelf and upper continental slope. Its intestinal contents were unidentifiable except for parts of a small bivalve, suggesting a benthic lifestyle. Comparisons. Neobythites lombokensis n. sp. differs from all congeners in the following combination of characters: a single ocellus placed on dorsal fin at mid-body, no preopercular spines, 7 developed gill rakers, head length 23.0 % SL, gill filament length 2.2 % SL, orbit length 22.5 % head length and 1.9 times in upper-jaw length, and otolith sulcus length 3.2 % SL.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2018): Review of the steatiticus - species group of the cuskeel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae) from the Indo-Pacific, with description of two new species. Zootaxa 4387 (1): 157-173, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4387.1.7
6570D216FFF38F36FF69E06136F151FD.taxon	description	Neobythites lombokensis seems most similar to N. meteori, sharing the following characters: dorsal fin with one ocellus, preopercular spine absent, pelvic fins ending anterior to anus, teeth needle-like and less than eight long rakers on anterior gill arch. Neobythites lombokensis differs from N. meteori in having a larger ocellus spot (spot covering 14 vs. 9 dorsal-fin rays), the ocellus placed above anterior part of anal fin (vs. above anus), and shorter gill filaments (9.4 vs. 13.0 % head length), respectively.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2018): Review of the steatiticus - species group of the cuskeel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae) from the Indo-Pacific, with description of two new species. Zootaxa 4387 (1): 157-173, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4387.1.7
6570D216FFF38F36FF69E06136F151FD.taxon	discussion	Remarks. In a review of the genus Neobythites from the Western Indian Ocean, Nielsen (1995) described seven new species. One of these, N. meteori, was based on a specimen from off Socotra Is. Furthermore, a specimen from off Lombok was referred to N. meteori but not designated as a paratype because of a number of differences from the Socotra specimen. Subsequent examination of the Lombok specimen showed that it represented an undescribed species of Neobythites, which is herein described.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2018): Review of the steatiticus - species group of the cuskeel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae) from the Indo-Pacific, with description of two new species. Zootaxa 4387 (1): 157-173, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4387.1.7
6570D216FFF58F34FF69E4E037735438.taxon	materials_examined	Holotype. USNM 74126 (female, 276 mm SL), off Jolo Island, Philippines, Western Pacific, 06 ° 02 ' 00 " N, 120 ° 44 ' 40 " E, RV Albatross, st. 5550, bottom trawl, 472 m depth, 17 Sep. 1909. Paratypes (n = 4, 90 – 207 mm SL). USNM 99070 (2 females, 165 – 242 mm SL), Philippines, 05 ° 50 ' N, 120 ° 31 ' E, RV Albatross, st. 5564, dredge, 432 m depth, 21 Sep. 1909; USNM 99073 (female, 90 mm SL), off Borneo, 04 ° 52 ' 45 " N, 119 ° 06 ' 45 " E, RV Albatros s, st. 5580, trawl, 296 m depth, 25 Sep. 1909; USNM 99091 (male, 207 mm SL), off Jolo, Philippines, 06 ° 01 ' 15 " N, 120 ° 44 ' 20 " E, RV Albatross st. 5549, trawl, 481 m depth, 17 Sep. 1909.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2018): Review of the steatiticus - species group of the cuskeel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae) from the Indo-Pacific, with description of two new species. Zootaxa 4387 (1): 157-173, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4387.1.7
6570D216FFF58F34FF69E4E037735438.taxon	description	Non-types (n = 18, 98 – 301 mm SL). AMS I. 22808 - 019 (female, 204 mm SL), 220 km N of Port Hedland, Western Australia, 17 ° 59 ' S 118 ° 17 ' E, RV Soela, st. SO 2 / 82 / 17 – 18, Engel trawl, 404 – 420 m depth, 3 Apr. 1982; AMS 1.22821 - 027 (female and male, 165 – 180 mm SL), 190 km northwest of Port Hedland, 18 ° 16 ' S 118 ° 12 ' E, RV Soela, st. SO 2 / 82 / 36 – 38, Engel trawl, 298 – 320 m depth, 10 Apr. 1982; AMS 1.23425 - 007 (2 males, 240 – 242 mm SL), northwest shelf, Western Australia, 18 ° 46 ' S 117 ° 00 " E, RV Soela, st. SO 4 / 82 / leg l, bottom trawl, 400 m depth, 1 Aug. 1982; CSIRO CA 3916 – 19 (2 females and 2 males, 212 – 301 mm SL), off Port Hedland, Western Australia, 17 ° 45.1 ' S 118 ° 30.4 ' E, RV Soela, st. SO 183170, 442 – 460 m depth, 5 Feb. 1983; NTM S. 12588 - 020 (female, 194 mm SL), off Rowley Shoals, Western Australia, 17 ° 22 ' S 118 ° 38 ' E, RV Comac Endeavour, st. WH 85 - 15, 430 m depth, 2 Nov. 1985; NTM S. 12631 - 005 (female and 2 males, SL 226 – 264 mm SL), off Rowley Shoals, Western Australia, 17 ° 37 ' S 118 ° 40 ' E, RV Comac Endeavour, st. YW 85 - 21, 400 m depth, 4 Nov. 1985; NTM S. 14378 - 001 (male, 245 mm SL), off Cartier Reef, Timor Sea, 13 ° 7.89 ' S 123 ° 12.65 ' E, RV Lady Basten, st. RW 96 - 30, 420 m, 19 June 1996; WAM P. 28081 - 001 (female, 230 mm SL), 45 km northeast of Rowley Shoals, Western Australia, 17 ° 44 ' S 120 ° 5 ' E, 431 – 433 m depth, 20 Aug. 1983; WAM P. 29125 - 001 (female, 163 mm SL), Rowley Shoals, Western Australia, 17 ° 27 ' S 119 ° 44 ' E, RV Umitaka Maru, trawl, 20 Dec. 1969; ZMUC P 779 (female, 195 mm SL), off Jolo, Philippines, trawl, 463 m depth, 27 Mar. 1914; ZMUC P 77740 (male, 98 mm SL), SE of Lombok, Indonesia, 8 ° 58 ’ S 116 ° 34 ’ E, JETINDOFISH TGT 1718, trawl, 150 – 280 m depth, July 1981.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2018): Review of the steatiticus - species group of the cuskeel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae) from the Indo-Pacific, with description of two new species. Zootaxa 4387 (1): 157-173, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4387.1.7
6570D216FFF58F34FF69E4E037735438.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. No spines on hind margin of preopercle; Dorsal fin-rays 96 – 103; anal-fin rays 72 – 76; pectoral finrays 27 – 30; precaudal vertebrae 13 – 14 (mostly 14); total vertebrae 57 – 60; pseudobranchial filaments 5 – 10; long gill rakers on anterior arch 8 – 10; head length 22.5 – 25.5 % SL; pelvic-fin length 28.5 – 54 % SL, pelvic fins reaching well beyond anus; orbit length 3.9 – 5.0 % SL, 17.0 – 21.5 % head length, and 2.4 – 3.2 times in upper-jaw length; longest gill filament 1.3 – 2.7 % SL and 5.7 – 11.0 % head length; ocellus spot placed behind a vertical line through anus, the ocellus-spot distance being 42.0 – 53 % SL, and the spot covering 9 – 13 dorsal-fin rays; margins of posterior third of dorsal fin and posterior two thirds of anal fin dark pigmented; no vertical bars on body; otolith length 4.8 – 6.2 % SL, sulcus length 4.3 – 4.9 % SL, and ostium height 12.5 – 15.0 % sulcus length.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2018): Review of the steatiticus - species group of the cuskeel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae) from the Indo-Pacific, with description of two new species. Zootaxa 4387 (1): 157-173, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4387.1.7
6570D216FFF58F34FF69E4E037735438.taxon	distribution	Distribution. From NW Australia to Philippines, at 150 – 481 m depth.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2018): Review of the steatiticus - species group of the cuskeel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae) from the Indo-Pacific, with description of two new species. Zootaxa 4387 (1): 157-173, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4387.1.7
6570D216FFF58F34FF69E4E037735438.taxon	discussion	Remarks. The photograph of the fresh specimen (Figure 1 C 2) shows that the anterior two thirds of the lateral line and the entire margin of the anal fin to be black pigmented. The pigmentation of the dorsal fin as revealed by examination of the preserved specimen is however not evident in the fresh photograph. The overall bluish colour of the fresh specimen appears to us as artifact.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2018): Review of the steatiticus - species group of the cuskeel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae) from the Indo-Pacific, with description of two new species. Zootaxa 4387 (1): 157-173, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4387.1.7
6570D216FFF68F34FF69E54636E351F6.taxon	description	Paralectotypes. ZMA 110.841 (3 females and 1 male, 87 – 148 mm SL), same data as for the lectotype. Non-types (n = 39, 76 – 199 mm SL). CAS 33088, male, 140 mm SL, Luzon Is., Philippines, 220 – 238 m depth, 19 Jul. 1966; CAS 56373 (male), 140 mm SL, southeast of Salomague Is., Philippines, 287 – 313 m depth, 20 Oct. 1960; MNHN 1995 - 915 (3 females, 84 – 159 mm SL), Vanuatu, West Pacific, 15 ° 7 ' 1 " S, 166 ° 55 ' 12 " E, MUSORSTOM 8, st. CP 1123, trawl, 262 – 352 m depth, 9 Oct. 1994; MNHN 1995 - 918 (female, 119 mm SL), and MNHN 1995 - 921 (male, 88 mm SL), Vanuatu, West Pacific, 15 ° 6 ' 58 " S, 166 ° 53 ' 25 " E, MUSORSTOM 8, st. CP 1121, trawl, 315 – 360 m depth, 9 Oct. 1994; USNM 99054 (6 females and 1 male, 114 – 129 mm SL), and ZMUC P 771288 – 90 (3 females, 95 – 112 mm SL), Uanivan Is., Philippines, 6 ° 50 ' 45 " N, 126 ° 14 ' 38 " E, RV Albatross, st. 5241, trawl, 393 m depth, 14 May 1908; USNM 99127 (male, 199 mm SL), Bongo Is., Philippines, 7 ° 21 ' 45 " N, 124 ° 7 ' 15 " E, RV Albatross, st. 5256, trawl, 289 m depth, 22 May 1908; USNM 99128 (female and male, 76 – 128 mm SL), between Leyte and Cebu, Philippines, 11 ° 10 ' N, 124 ° 17 ' 15 " E, RV Albatross, st. 5403, trawl, 333 m depth, 16 Mar. 1909; USNM 99129 (2 females, 133 – 143 mm SL), between Cebu and Leyte, Philippines, 10 ° 40 ' 15 " N, 124 ° 15 ' E, RV Albatross, st. 5408, trawl, 291 m depth, 18 Mar. 1909; USNM 99130 (2 females, 2 males and 1 unsexed, 85 – 161 mm SL), Uanivan Is., Philippines, 6 ° 50 ' 55 " N, 126 ° 14 ' 35 " E, RV Albatross, st. 5243, trawl, 399 m depth, 14 Mar. 1908; USNM 99131 (female and male, 141 – 153 mm SL), Verde Is., Philippines, 13 ° 44 ' 36 " N, 120 ° 59 ' 15 " E, RV Albatross, st. 5266, trawl, 183 m depth, 8 June 1908; USNM 99132 (female and male, 132 – 143 mm SL), Pescador Is., Philippines, 9 ° 44 ' N, 123 ° 14 ' 20 " E, RV Albatross, st. 5188, trawl, 549 m, 1 Apr. 1908; USNM 99133 (2 females and 3 males, 131 – 173 mm SL), Pescadore Is., Philippines, 9 ° 56 ' 30 '' N, 123 ° 15 ' E, RV Albatross, st. 5189, trawl, 549 m depth, 1 Apr. 1908; USNM 99138 (female, 154 mm SL), off Leyte, Philippines, 10 ° 50 ' N, 124 ° 26 ' 18 " E, RV Albatross, st. 5404, trawl, 348 m depth, 17 Mar. 1909; USNM 99150 (female and male, 119 + – 129 mm SL), between Leyte and Cebu, Philippines, 11 ° 11 ' 45 " N, 124 ° 15 ' 45 " E, RV Albatross, st. 5402, trawl, 344 m depth, 16 Mar. 1909; ZMUC P 77741 – 42 (female and male, 138 – 171 + mm SL), Saleh Bay, SE of Lombok, 8 ° 58 ’ S 116 ° 34 ’ E, JETINDOFISH, st. TGT 1897, bottom trawl, 180 – 300 m depth, Jul. 1981.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2018): Review of the steatiticus - species group of the cuskeel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae) from the Indo-Pacific, with description of two new species. Zootaxa 4387 (1): 157-173, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4387.1.7
6570D216FFF68F34FF69E54636E351F6.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Indistinct or flat spine on hind margin of preopercle; dorsal fin-rays 90 – 96; anal-fin rays 74 – 79; pectoral fin-rays 26 – 28; precaudal vertebrae 12 – 13 (mostly 13); total vertebrae 54 – 57; pseudobranchial filaments 2 – 4; long gill rakers on anterior arch 8 – 11; head length 21.5 – 28.0 % SL; pelvic-fin length 13.5 – 20.0 % SL, pelvic fins not reaching anus; orbit length 4.2 – 5.6 % SL, 16.0 – 23.5 % head length, and 2.2 – 2.7 times in upper-jaw length; longest gill filament 1.3 – 3.8 % SL and 5.2 – 13.5 % head length; ocellus spot placed behind a vertical line through anus, the ocellus-spot distance being 42.5 – 52 % SL, and the spot covering 6 – 10 dorsal-fin rays; margins of posterior quarter of dorsal fin and posterior two thirds of anal fin dark pigmented; no vertical bars on body; otolith length 5.1 – 5.3 % SL, sulcus length 3.3 – 4.1 % SL, and ostium height 21.0 – 25.5 % sulcus length.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2018): Review of the steatiticus - species group of the cuskeel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae) from the Indo-Pacific, with description of two new species. Zootaxa 4387 (1): 157-173, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4387.1.7
6570D216FFF68F34FF69E54636E351F6.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Indonesia, Philippines, and Vanuatu, at 180 – 549 m depth.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2018): Review of the steatiticus - species group of the cuskeel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae) from the Indo-Pacific, with description of two new species. Zootaxa 4387 (1): 157-173, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4387.1.7
6570D216FFF78F3AFF69E1F63012541D.taxon	materials_examined	Holotype. ZM MGU P- 18915 (male, 123 mm SL), Saya de Malha Bank, Western Indian Ocean, 11 ° 02 ' S, 62 ° 15 ' E, 250 m depth (probably same cruise as paratypes). Paratypes (n = 3; 117 – 135 mm SL). Saya de Malha Bank, Western Indian Ocean: ZM MGU P- 18916 (female, 117 mm SL), 11 ° 08 ' S, 62 ° 16 ' E, RV Professor Mesiatzev, trawl 476, 235 – 239 m depth, 7 Oct 1977; ZM MGU P- 18917 (female, 132 mm SL), 11 ° 06 ' S, 62 ° 19 ' E, RV Professor Mesiatzev, trawl 478, 240 m depth, 7 Oct 1977; ZMUC P 77840 (female, 135 mm SL), RV Fiolent, 1973 (no other data).	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2018): Review of the steatiticus - species group of the cuskeel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae) from the Indo-Pacific, with description of two new species. Zootaxa 4387 (1): 157-173, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4387.1.7
6570D216FFF78F3AFF69E1F63012541D.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Indistinct or flat spine on hind margin of preopercle; dorsal fin-rays 99 – 103; anal-fin rays 78 – 82; pectoral fin-rays 30; precaudal vertebrae 13; total vertebrae 57 – 59; pseudobranchial filaments 3 – 4; long gill rakers on anterior arch 12 – 13; head length 21.0 – 21.5 % SL; pelvic-fin length 12.5 – 13.0 % SL, pelvic fins not reaching anus; orbit length 4.1 – 4.9 % SL, 19.5 – 23.0 % head length, and 2.2 – 2.4 times in upper-jaw length; longest gill filament 1.6 – 1.9 % SL and 7.5 – 8.9 % head length; ocellus spot placed behind a vertical line through anus, the ocellus-spot distance being 42.5 – 45.5 % SL, and the spot covering 13 dorsal-fin rays; dorsal and anal fins not pigmented; one vertical, dark bar on body below ocellus spot; otolith length 5.2 % SL, sulcus length 3.8 % SL, and ostium height 21.5 % sulcus length.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2018): Review of the steatiticus - species group of the cuskeel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae) from the Indo-Pacific, with description of two new species. Zootaxa 4387 (1): 157-173, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4387.1.7
6570D216FFF78F3AFF69E1F63012541D.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Saya de Malha Bank, off SE Seychelles, Western Indian Ocean, at 235 – 250 m depth.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2018): Review of the steatiticus - species group of the cuskeel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae) from the Indo-Pacific, with description of two new species. Zootaxa 4387 (1): 157-173, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4387.1.7
6570D216FFF88F3AFF69E5A236995368.taxon	materials_examined	Holotype. ZMH 5621 (female, 102 mm SL), off southwestern Socotra Island, Yemen, NW Indian Ocean, 11 ° 33.9 ' N, 52 ° 54 ' E; RV Meteor, st. 102, Agassiz trawl; 175 – 337 m depth; 20 Dec. 1964.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2018): Review of the steatiticus - species group of the cuskeel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae) from the Indo-Pacific, with description of two new species. Zootaxa 4387 (1): 157-173, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4387.1.7
6570D216FFF88F3AFF69E5A236995368.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Flat process on hind margin of preopercle; dorsal fin-rays 91; anal-fin rays 75; pectoral fin-rays 27; precaudal vertebrae 13; total vertebrae 53; pseudobranchial filaments 3; long gill rakers on anterior arch 6; head length 22.0 % SL; pelvic-fin length 11.0 % SL, pelvic fins not reaching anus; orbit length 4.1 – 4.9 % SL, 22.0 % head length, and and 2.0 times in upper-jaw length; longest gill filament 2.8 % SL and 13.0 % head length; ocellus spot placed above anus, the ocellus-spot distance being 39.0 % SL, and the spot covering 9 dorsal-fin rays; dorsal and anal fins not pigmented; no vertical bars on body; otolith length 4.6 % SL.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2018): Review of the steatiticus - species group of the cuskeel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae) from the Indo-Pacific, with description of two new species. Zootaxa 4387 (1): 157-173, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4387.1.7
6570D216FFF88F3AFF69E5A236995368.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Off Sokotra Island, NW Indian Ocean, at 175 – 337 m depth.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2018): Review of the steatiticus - species group of the cuskeel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae) from the Indo-Pacific, with description of two new species. Zootaxa 4387 (1): 157-173, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4387.1.7
6570D216FFF88F3AFF69E5A236995368.taxon	discussion	Remarks. In his review, Nielsen (1995: 8) included a second specimen (from off Lombok) as Neobythites meteori without designated it as paratype. This specimen is described as N. lombokensis n. sp. in the current paper. A photo of the freshly caught specimen, later to become the holotype of N. meteori, shows no dark margins or bands on dorsal and anal fins (cf. Kotthaus 1979). Also, the otolith of the holotype of N. meteori turned out to be in bad condition allowing us only to measure otolith length and height.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2018): Review of the steatiticus - species group of the cuskeel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae) from the Indo-Pacific, with description of two new species. Zootaxa 4387 (1): 157-173, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4387.1.7
6570D216FFF88F3EFF69E2B634FA52E5.taxon	materials_examined	Holotype. ZSI 13435 (female, 129 mm SL), Bay of Bengal, NE Indian Ocean, 15 ° 4 ' 7 '' N, 80 ° 25 ' 7 '' E, RV Investigator, st. 137, Agassiz trawl, 234 m depth, 3 Mar. 1893. Non-types (n = 5, 113 – 162 mm SL). BMNH 1895.1. 3.3 (former ZSI 13477), (female, 143 mm SL), Bay of Bengal, 13 ° 1 ' 6 '' N, 80 ° 36 ' 56 '' E, RV Investigator, st. 170, Agassiz trawl, 193 m depth, 16 Feb. 1894; USNM 46756 (former ZSI 13475), (female, 113 mm SL), USNM 256238 (former ZSI 13474), (female, 127 mm SL), and BMNH 1895.1. 3.4 (female, 114 mm SL), Bay of Bengal, 13 ° 51 ' 12 '' N, 80 ° 28 ' 12 '' E, RV Investiga tor, st. 162, Agassiz trawl, 261 – 450 m depth, 30 Jan. 1894; ZMUC P 771752 (unripe, 162 mm SL), off Myanmar, 16 ° 27 ' N 93 ° 57 ' E, RV Dr. Fridtjof Nansen, st. 42, bottom trawl, 274 – 277 m depth, 6 May 2015.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2018): Review of the steatiticus - species group of the cuskeel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae) from the Indo-Pacific, with description of two new species. Zootaxa 4387 (1): 157-173, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4387.1.7
6570D216FFF88F3EFF69E2B634FA52E5.taxon	description	…… continued on the next page Tentatively referred. Tuticorin Research Center, Tamil Nadu, India, 2, 178 – 180 mm SL, Gulf of Manar, 8 ° 44 ' 46 '' N, 78 ° 37 ' 24 '' E, bottom trawl, 200 – 250 m depth, 22 Feb. 2010.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2018): Review of the steatiticus - species group of the cuskeel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae) from the Indo-Pacific, with description of two new species. Zootaxa 4387 (1): 157-173, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4387.1.7
6570D216FFF88F3EFF69E2B634FA52E5.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. (Tentatively referred specimens from Gulf of Mannar not included). 0 – 1 weak spine on hind margin of preopercle; dorsal fin-rays 88 – 94; anal-fin rays 73 – 77; pectoral fin-rays 24 – 27; precaudal vertebrae 12; total vertebrae 53 – 57; pseudobranchial filaments 2 – 3; long gill rakers on anterior arch 11 – 14; head length 28.0 – 31.0 % SL; pelvic-fin length 14.0 – 15.0 % SL, pelvic fins not reaching anus; orbit length 4.8 – 5.2 % SL, 16.0 – 18.5 % head length, and 2.3 – 2.8 times in upper-jaw length; longest gill filament 4.4 – 5.9 % SL and 15.0 – 19.0 % head length; ocellus spot placed well behind a vertical line through anus, the ocellus-spot distance being 46.0 – 51.5 % SL, and the spot covering 7 – 10 dorsal-fin rays; median part of anal-fin dark and distal and proximal parts light; dorsal fin mostly unpigmented; up to 6 broad, rather distinct dark vertical bars on body; otolith length 5.0 – 5.2 % SL, sulcus length 3.6 – 3.7 % SL, and ostium height 21.0 – 24.5 % sulcus length.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2018): Review of the steatiticus - species group of the cuskeel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae) from the Indo-Pacific, with description of two new species. Zootaxa 4387 (1): 157-173, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4387.1.7
6570D216FFF88F3EFF69E2B634FA52E5.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Known from both sides of the Bay of Bengal, NE Indian Ocean, at 193 – 450 m depth.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2018): Review of the steatiticus - species group of the cuskeel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae) from the Indo-Pacific, with description of two new species. Zootaxa 4387 (1): 157-173, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4387.1.7
6570D216FFF88F3EFF69E2B634FA52E5.taxon	discussion	Remarks. According to Alcock (1899) ZSI held the holotype and eight additional specimens, five of which are here examined. Kannan et al. (2013: 1) published the first record in Indian waters of Neobythites stefanovi. However, the illustration shows more resemblance to N. steatiticus so we treat it here as tentatively referred to N. steatiticus. Some specimens that in earlier literature were referred to N. steatiticus are now transferred to other Neobythites species: Norman (1939: 76) referred three specimens to N. steatiticus. Two of these from the Gulf of Aden have been transferred to N. stefanovi and one from off Zanzibar to N. kenyaensis Nielsen, 1995. Nielsen (1995: 11 and 2002: 84) mentioned six specimens caught in the Gulf of Oman (all from BMNH) which now are referred to N. gloriae n. sp. The specimen collected during the RV Dr. Fridtjov Nansen cruise off Myanmar represents the first record from the eastern Bay of Bengal. The photo taken on board immediately after capture is the first to document fresh colour of the species (Figure 1 G 2). It reveals considerable similarity with ocellus, fin and body colour patterns shown in two different drawings of N. steatiticus provided by Alcock (1893, 1898) based on shortly preserved specimens. The slightly larger ocellus of the specimen from off Myanmar (10 vs. 7 – 9 dorsal-fin rays covered by the spot) contributes to the distinction of N. steatiticus from N. gloriae n. sp. (Figure 3, Tables 2 – 3). Jawad (2014) reported N. steatiticus from the Arabian Gulf off Iraq. However, judging from the dark blotch near the origin of the dorsal fin (vs. no anterior blotch), the position of the mid-body ocellus above or in front of anus (vs. well behind anus), and head length (21.5 vs. 28.0 – 31.0 % SL) this is neither a N. steatiticus nor a member of the steatiticus species group.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2018): Review of the steatiticus - species group of the cuskeel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae) from the Indo-Pacific, with description of two new species. Zootaxa 4387 (1): 157-173, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4387.1.7
6570D216FFFC8F3FFF69E23A36905358.taxon	materials_examined	Holotype. ZM MGU P 18923 (male, 166 mm SL), Gulf of Aden, NW Indian Ocean, 14 ° 48.8 ' N, 51 ° 16.1 ' E, RV Dmitry Stefanov cr. 3, trawl 91, 245 – 335 m depth; 5 Jan. 1989. Paratypes (n = 25, 42 – 195 + mm SL). BMHN 1939.5. 24.1437 (female, 195 + mm SL), Gulf of Aden, 13 ° 14.4 ' N, 46 ° 14.2 ' E, RV John Murray, st. 35, otter trawl, 457 – 549 m depth, 16 Oct. 1933; SMF 26427 – 29 (2 females, 2 males, and 4 unsexed; 42 – 122 mm SL), Gulf of Aden, 12 ° 16 ' N, 44 ° 09.5 ' E, RV Meteor, MeS- 287, beam-trawl; 472 – 479 m depth, 16 Mar. 1987; USNM 302930, female, 179 + mm SL, Gulf of Aden, 11 ° 10.6 ' N, 48 ° 11.2 ' E, RV Beinta, cr. 19, haul 32, 351 – 384 m depth, 19 Feb. 1987; ZM MGU P- 18924 (female, 139 mm SL), Gulf of Aden, 13 ° 15.5 ' N, 46 ° 14.3 ' E, RV Akademik Petrovsky cr. 14, st. 34, 250 – 300 m depth, 26 Sep. 1983; ZM MGU P- 18925 (male, 130 mm SL), Gulf of Aden, 15 ° 59.8 ' N, 52 ° 23.9 ' E, RV Dmitry Stefanov cr. 3, trawl 9, 80 – 110 m depth, 19 Nov. 1988; ZM MGU P- 18926 (female, 162 + mm SL), Gulf of Aden 14 ° 49.2 ' N, 50 ° 35.1 ' E, RV Dmitry Stefanov, trawl 78, 375 m depth, 3 Feb. 1989; ZM MGU P- 18927 (female, 168 mm SL), same data as holotype; ZM MGU P- 18928 (female, 180 mm SL), Gulf of Aden, 13 ° 13.7 ' N, 45 ° 41.8 ' E, RV Dmitry Stefanov, cr. 5, trawl 48, 355 – 365 m depth, 22 Nov. 1989; ZM MGU P- 18929 (female, 190 mm SL), and ZMUC P 77841 (female, 198 mm SL), Gulf of Aden, 13 ° 09 ' N, 45 ° 41 ' E, RV Dmitry Stefanov, trawl 51; 460 m; 24 Nov. 1989; ZM MGU P- 18930 (female and male, 165 – 179 mm SL), and ZMUC P 77842 (male, 168 mm SL), Gulf of Aden, 13 ° 25.1 ' N 47 ° 14. S' E, RV Dmitry Stefanov, trawl 68, 367 m depth, 28 Nov. 1989; ZM MGU P 18931 (female, male, and unsexed, 130 – 172 mm SL), and ZMUC P 77843 – 44 (male and female, 163 – 166 mm SL), Gulf of Aden, RV Dmitry Stefanov, 1989.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2018): Review of the steatiticus - species group of the cuskeel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae) from the Indo-Pacific, with description of two new species. Zootaxa 4387 (1): 157-173, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4387.1.7
6570D216FFFC8F3FFF69E23A36905358.taxon	description	Non-types (n = 22, 29 – 122 mm SL). SMF 26430 (female, 122 mm SL), Red Sea, 18 ° 35.3 ' N, 39 ° 03.5 ' E, RV Meteor, MeS- 171, beam trawl, 434 – 469 m depth, 23 Feb. 1987; SMF 26431 and 26434 (3 unsexed, 45 – 94 mm SL), Red Sea, 19 ° 18.2 ' N, 38 ° 15.5 ' E, RV Meteor, MeS- 194, beam trawl, 537 – 681 m depth, 28 Feb. 1987; SMF 26432 (2 unsexed, 75 – 84 mm SL), Red Sea, 22 ° 05 ' N, 37 ° 09.3 ' E, RV Meteor, MeS- 96, beam trawl, 600 m depth, 9 Feb. 1987; SMF 26433 (2 unsexed, 44 – 99 mm SL), Red Sea, 19 ° 44.5 ' N, 37 ° 40.2 ' E, RV Meteor, MeS- 148, beam trawl, 517 – 583 m depth, 20 Feb. 1987; SMF 26435 and 26440 (2 unsexed, 49 – 31 mm SL), Red Sea, 21 ° 28.97 ' N, 38 ° 15.55 ' E, RV Valdivia, st. 111 TA, closing trawl, 740 – 785 m depth, 12 Apr. 1979; SMF 26436 and 26441 (3 unsexed, 29 – 46 mm SL), Red Sea, 21 ° 26.5 ' N, 38 ° 38.3 ' E, RV Valdivia, st. 121 TA, closing trawl, 779 – 801 m depth, 15 Apr. 1979; SMF 26437 and 26785 (2 unsexed, 63 – 115 mm SL), Red Sea, 20 ° 94.9 ' N, 37 ° 26.1 ' E; RV Sonne 35 TA, c 1 osing trawl, 490 – 588 m, 17 Oct. 1977; SMF 26438 (42 mm SL), Red Sea, 21 ° 10.8 ' N, 37 ° 34.0 ' E, RV Sonne 27 TA, closing trawl, 733 – 757 m depth, 16 Oct. 1977; SMF 26439 (38 mm SL), Red Sea, 21 ° 12.0 ' N, 37 ° 26.8 ' E, RV Sonne, 25 TA, closing trawl, 724 – 747 m depth, 15 Oct. 1977; SMF 26442 (5 unsexed, 29 – 42 mm SL), Red Sea, 21 ° 33 ' N, 38 ° 21 ' E, RV Valdivia, 99 TA, closing trawl, 753 – 804 m depth, 9 Apr. 1979.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2018): Review of the steatiticus - species group of the cuskeel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae) from the Indo-Pacific, with description of two new species. Zootaxa 4387 (1): 157-173, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4387.1.7
6570D216FFFC8F3FFF69E23A36905358.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. No spines on hind margin of preopercle; dorsal fin-rays 89 – 95; anal-fin rays 73 – 78; pectoral finrays 24 – 26; precaudal vertebrae 12; total vertebrae 52 – 56; pseudobranchial filaments 2 – 6; long gill rakers on anterior arch 10 – 13; head length 23.0 – 27.5 % SL; pelvic-fin length 14.5 – 20.5 % SL, pelvic fins not reaching anus; orbit length 5.4 – 6.9 % SL, 21.5 – 27.5 % head length, and 1.7 – 2.3 times in upper-jaw length; longest gill filament 1.4 – 3.7 % SL and 5.4 – 16.0 % head length; ocellus spot placed well behind a vertical line through anus, the ocellusspot distance being 45.5 – 56 % SL, and the spot covering 8 – 12 dorsal-fin rays; dorsal and anal fins with dark margins throughout; no vertical bars on body; otolith length 4.6 – 5.2 % SL, sulcus length 3.4 – 4.1 % SL, and ostium height 20.0 – 28.5 % sulcus length.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2018): Review of the steatiticus - species group of the cuskeel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae) from the Indo-Pacific, with description of two new species. Zootaxa 4387 (1): 157-173, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4387.1.7
6570D216FFFC8F3FFF69E23A36905358.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Gulf of Aden, NW Indian Ocean, at 80 - 549 m depth and Red Sea, 434 – 804 m depth.	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2018): Review of the steatiticus - species group of the cuskeel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae) from the Indo-Pacific, with description of two new species. Zootaxa 4387 (1): 157-173, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4387.1.7
6570D216FFFC8F3FFF69E23A36905358.taxon	discussion	Remarks. Kannan et al. (2013) reported on two specimens of N. stefanovi from Gulf of Manar, Tamil Nadu (NW Indian Ocean). After inspection of the photo and some of the data provided by Kannan et al. (2013), we assume that these specimens should be treated as tentatively referred to N. steatiticus. Uiblein (1995) reported considerable differences between the populations of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden based on quantitative studies of meristic, morphometric and ocellus characters. Those differences were however only statistically detectable and did not support the erection of a distinct taxon in the Red Sea. We have reconsidered these earlier findings when examining the differentiation degree among the three rather similar species N. gloriae n. sp., N. steatiticus, and N. stefanovi. While these species can be well separated by five diagnostic characters (singly or in combination), the two N. stefanovi populations clearly overlap with each other in those as well as in all other characters studied (Figure 3, Tables 2 – 3).	en	Uiblein, Franz, Nielsen, Jørgen G. (2018): Review of the steatiticus - species group of the cuskeel genus Neobythites (Ophidiidae) from the Indo-Pacific, with description of two new species. Zootaxa 4387 (1): 157-173, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4387.1.7
