The shortfinned worm eel (Scolecenchelys australis, also known commonly as the shortfin worm eel, worm eel, southern worm eel, Down's worm eel, or Tasmanian worm eel[2]) is an eel in the family Ophichthidae (worm/snake eels).[3] It was described by William John Macleay in 1881, originally under the genus Muraenichthys.[4] It is a marine, temperate water-dwelling eel which is known from Australia, in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It forms large colonies which inhabit burrows in soft sediments. Males can reach a maximum total length of 40 centimetres (16 in).[3]
| Shortfinned worm eel | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Anguilliformes |
| Family: | Ophichthidae |
| Genus: | Scolecenchelys |
| Species: | S. australis
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| Binomial name | |
| Scolecenchelys australis (Macleay, 1881)
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| Synonyms[1] | |
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The shortfinned worm eel's diet consists primarily of benthic crustaceans and polychaetes.[5]
References edit
- ^ Synonyms of Scolecenchelys australis at www.fishbase.org.
- ^ Common names of Scolecenchelys australis at www.fishbase.org.
- ^ a b Scolecenchelys australis at www.fishbase.org.
- ^ Macleay, W., 1881 (12 Sept.) [ref. 6222] A descriptive catalogue of Australian fishes. Part IV. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales v. 6 (pt 2): 202-387.
- ^ Food and Feeding Habits Summary for Scolecenchelys australis at www.fishbase.org.
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