Leopard eel
| Leopard eel | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Anguilliformes |
| Family: | Ophichthidae |
| Genus: | Myrichthys |
| Species: | M. pardalis |
| Binomial name | |
| Myrichthys pardalis (Valenciennes, 1839) | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
The Leopard eel[2] (Myrichthys pardalis) is an eel in the family Ophichthidae (worm/snake eels).[3] It was described by Achille Valenciennes in 1839, originally under the genus Ophisurus.[4] It is a marine, tropical eel which is known from the eastern Atlantic Ocean, including the Canary Islands; Annobon Island, Equatorial Guinea; and São Tomé Island. It forms burrows in coarse sand sediments on rocky island coasts. Males can reach a maximum total length of 64.8 centimetres (25.5 in).[3]
The Leopard eel's diet consists of benthic invertebrates.[5] It is of minor commercial interest to fisheries.[3]
References
- ↑ Synonyms of Myrichthys pardalis at www.fishbase.org.
- ↑ Common names of Myrichthys pardalis at www.fishbase.org.
- 1 2 3 Myrichthys pardalis at www.fishbase.org.
- ↑ Valenciennes, A., 1837-44 [ref. 4502] Ichthyologie des îles Canaries, ou histoire naturelle des poissons rapportés par Webb & Berthelot. In: P. B. Webb & S. Berthelot. Histoire naturelle des îles Canaries. Paris, 1835-1850. v. 2 (pt 2): 1-109, 26 pls.
- ↑ Food items reported for Myrichthys pardalis at www.fishbase.org.
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