Key to the Indo-Pacific species of Anarchias

1a. Fourth supraorbital pore anteromedial to posterior nostril, separated from it by a narrow space of normal, pigmented skin….….. 2

1b. Fourth supraorbital pore medial or posterior to posterior nostril, both included in an unpigmented depression .…………………... 4

2a. Color uniform brown, no markings ……………………………………..……...… Anarchias schultzi, new species (western Pacific)

2b. Mottled or spotted …………………………………………………………………………………………………………...………………… 3

3a. Discrete, sharply defined pale markings on a brown background, not oriented vertically as diffuse bars; snout to anus 45-51% TL; total vertebrae 98-108 ………………………………………………………………………….. Anarchias cantonensis (Indo-West Pacific)

3b. Large, diffuse pale markings, oriented vertically as irregular bars; snout to anus 40-45% TL; total vertebrae 110-117 ……………………………………………….……………………...………………….…. Anarchias exulatus, new species (central Pacific)

4a. Fourth supraorbital pore directly medial to posterior nostril ……..……………………...… Anarchias allardicei  (Indo-West Pacific)

4b. Fourth supraorbital pore posteromedial or posterior to posterior nostril …………………………………………………….………...… 5

5a. Dorsal and anal fins greatly reduced to a few rays at tip of tail; total vertebrae circa 104 ………………………………………………………………………………………….……Anarchias galapagensis (eastern tropical Pacific)

5b. Dorsal and anal fins less reduced, extend a short but significant distance anteriorly from tip of tail; total vertebrae circa 116-135 …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……. 6

6a. Pale spots along lower half of flanks, posterior half of body with diffuse white bands, tip of tail white; total vertebrae circa 135 …………………….…………………………………………………………….……… Anarchias supremus (deep water, Kermadec Ridge)

6b. Color not as above, total vertebrae fewer than 135, circa 116-131 ……………………………………………………………………Anarchias leucurus/seychellensis complex (shallow water, Indo-West Pacific)