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 | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Anguilliformes |
| Family: | Ophichthidae |
| Genus: | Ophichthus |
| Species: | O. remiger
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| Binomial name | |
| Ophichthus remiger (Valenciennes, 1837)
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| Synonyms[1] | |
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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 edit
- ^ Synonyms of Ophichthus remiger at www.fishbase.org.
- ^ Common names of Ophichthus remiger at www.fishbase.org.
- ^ a b c d Ophichthus remiger at www.fishbase.org.
- ^ Valenciennes, A., 1834-42 [ref. 20720] Poissons [plates]. In: A. d'Orbigny. Voyage dans l'Amérique méridionale. Pls. 1-16.
- ^ a b Ophichthus remiger at the IUCN redlist.
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