Description of a new deep-sea eelpout Pachycara matallanasi sp nov from the Solomon Sea (western South Pacific Ocean)

A new species of zoarcid fish, Pachycara matallanasi, is described. During the Danish Galathea 3 expedition, on 28 December 2006, six specimens of Pachycara Zugmayer, 1911 were collected from depths of 4350-4450 m. The new species is the second member of the genus in the western South Pacific Ocean. Pachycara matallanasi sp. nov. can be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following characters: body without scales; pelvic fin absent; lateral line mediolateral; dorsal fin origin associated with vertebrae 5-6 with 0-1 free predorsal pterygiophores; total vertebrae 103-108; smooth ceratohyal-epihyal articulation; post-temporal with well-developed ventral ramus; coracoid with a posterior strut and a small foramen.