Systematics of fishes
Systematic studies on the difficult ophidiiform genus Bassozetus is in progress. The genus is found worldwide on depths between 1000 and 6000 meters and is important in many deepsea communities. It is not uncommon in collections in many museums but most specimens have remained unidentified or have been provided with an incorrect name. This is mainly due to the poor condition of much of the type material (11 nominal species) (J. Nielsen, with N.R. Merret, The Natural History Museum, London).
Revisionary work on the ophidiiform genus Neobythites has been continued. This genus is very common on the continental slope all over the World and large quantities are kept in collections, the majority un- or misidentified. The reason is that until recently only 15 species were recognized while it is estimated that at least an additional 30 species exist, 18 of which have now been described (published* or in print). The ophidiiform section (including 95 species) in a FAO catalogue of the fishes of the Central West Pacific Ocean has been completed. Contributions to "FAO species catalogue of the Ophidiiformes" have been completed. Treatment of six families for a catalogue of New Zealand fishes has been initiated (J. Nielsen).
A study of the taxonomy of the Atlantic and Atlantic-Arctic eelpouts of the genus Lycodes has been completed (P.R. Møller, cand.scient. project). A study of the phylogeny of Lycodes has been initiated, and an alpha-taxonomical study of the L. reticulatus complex has been initiated (P.R. Møller, ph.d. project). Taxonomic studies of the eelpout species Lycenchelys ingolfianus and L. paxillus are close to completion, a paper on the distribution of eelpouts at West Greenland has been completed, and the text of a catalogue of type specimens in Forsskål's 'fish herbarium' has been written (P.R. Møller).