The Finned worm eel (Echelus uropterus, also known as the Finned snake eel in Australia[3]) is an eel in the family Ophichthidae (worm/snake eels).[4] It was described by Coenraad Jacob Temminck and Hermann Schlegel in 1846.[5] It is a marine, tropical eel which is known from the Indo-Pacific, including East Africa, the Society Islands, and southern Japan. It is known to dwell in reefs. It is the only worm eel in its region which possesses pectoral fins. Males can reach a maximum total length of 60 centimetres.[4]
| Finned worm eel | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Anguilliformes |
| Family: | Ophichthidae |
| Genus: | Echelus |
| Species: | E. uropterus
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| Binomial name | |
| Echelus uropterus | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
The Finned worm eel's diet consists of bony fish and benthic crustaceans such as crabs, shrimp, prawns, amphipods and stomatopods.[6]
References
edit- ^ McCosker, J.; Smith, D.G. & Tighe, K. (2022). "Echelus uropterus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2022: e.T199238A2573357. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-2.RLTS.T199238A2573357.en. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
- ^ Synonyms of Echelus uropterus at www.fishbase.org.
- ^ Common names for Echelus uropterus at www.fishbase.org.
- ^ a b Echelus uropterus at www.fishbase.org.
- ^ Temminck, C. J. and H. Schlegel, 1846 [ref. 4374] See Temminck & Schlegel 1843 [ref. 4370]. Parts 10-14: 173-269.
- ^ Food and feeding habits summary for Echelus uropterus at www.fishbase.org.
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