A new species of the cave-fish genus (Ophidiiformes, Bythitidae), from eastern Cuba.

Recently, a barcoding study and a molecular phylogenetic analysis of the Cuban species of the cave-fish genus Poey, 1858 revealed the existence of different evolutionary lineages that were previously unknown or passed unnoticed by morphological scrutiny (i.e., cryptic candidate species). In the present study, is described as a new species restricted to anchialine caves in the northeastern karst region of the main island. The species was earlier described as a variety of , but since the name was introduced as a variety after 1960, it is deemed to be infrasubspecific and unavailable according to the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature Art. 15.2. The new species differs from by pigmented eyes vs. eyes absent and lack of palatine teeth vs. present. seems to be most similar to the Bahamian species by showing pigmented eyes, 13 or 14 precaudal vertebrae and ten caudal fin rays. However, differs from it by a larger size of the pigmented eye (1.1-1.9 vs. 0.9-1.0% SL) and number of posterior lateral line neuromasts (30-33 vs. 34-35).