Punctuated snake eel

The punctuated snake eel (Ophichthus remiger, also known as the common snake eel in Peru[2]) is an eel in the family Ophichthidae (worm/snake eels).[3] It was described by Achille Valenciennes in 1837, originally under the genus Ophisurus.[4] It is a marine, subtropical eel which is known from the eastern central and southeastern Pacific Ocean, including Nicaragua, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, and Panama.[5] It dwells at a depth range of 15 to 277 metres (49 to 909 ft), and inhabits sand and mud sediments. Males can reach a maximum total length of 85 centimetres (33 in), but more commonly reach a TL of 60 centimetres (24 in).[3]

Punctuated snake eel
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Anguilliformes
Family: Ophichthidae
Genus: Ophichthus
Species:
O. remiger
Binomial name
Ophichthus remiger
(Valenciennes, 1837)
Synonyms[1]
  • Ophisurus remiger Valenciennes, 1837
  • Ophisurus dicellurus Richardson, 1845
  • Ophichthus dicellurus (Richardson, 1845)
  • Ophisurus ramiger Valenciennes, 1847
  • Ophichthus ramiger (Valenciennes, 1847)
  • Ophichthys ater Peters, 1866
  • Ophichthus ater (Peters, 1866)
  • Ophichthys pacifici Günther, 1870
  • Ophichthus pacifici Günther, 1870
  • Ophichthys callaensis Günther, 1873
  • Ophichthus callaensis Günther, 1873
  • Ophichthys uniserialis Cope, 1877
  • Ophichthys exilis Seale, 1917

The species epithet "remniger" refers to the type locality, Port Rame, in Chile.[3] The Punctuated snake-eel's diet consists of fish and invertebrates. It is of commercial interest to Ecuadorian and Peruvian fisheries.[5]

Due to its wide distribution, lack of known major threats, and lack of observed population decline, the IUCN redlist currently lists the Punctuated snake-eel as Least Concern.[3]

References
  1. Synonyms of Ophichthus remiger at www.fishbase.org.
  2. Common names of Ophichthus remiger at www.fishbase.org.
  3. Ophichthus remiger at www.fishbase.org.
  4. Valenciennes, A., 1834-42 [ref. 20720] Poissons [plates]. In: A. d'Orbigny. Voyage dans l'Amérique méridionale. Pls. 1-16.
  5. Ophichthus remiger at the IUCN redlist.


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