Eptatretus springeri

Common Name

Springer's Hagfish

Year Described

Bigelow & Schroeder, 1952

Identification

Slime Pores
Prebranchial: 16-19
Branchial: 1-5
Trunk: 52-57
Tail: 9-13
Total: 83-92

Anterior unicusps: 10-11
Posterior unicusps: 9-10
Total cusps: 49-52
Tooth formula: 3/2

Body anguilliform and cylindrical. There are normally six gill openings. Ventral finfold variably developed. Caudal finfold well developed.

Color

Body light to dark brown. Head and finfolds same color as body. Mouth, gill aperture margins, and barbels whitish.

Size

Maximum size to 59cm TL.

Habitat

Found on soft bottoms from 400-730m.

Range

Known only from the northeastern Gulf of Mexico.

References

Mincarone, M. M. 2007. Revisao Taxonomica da Familia Myxinidae Rafinesque, 1814 (Myxiniformes). Tese de Doutorado, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil.