The deepwater big-eyed worm eel[1] (Scolecenchelys castlei) is an eel in the family Ophichthidae (worm/snake eels).[2] It was described by John E. McCosker in 2006.[3] It is a subtropical, marine eel which is known from New Zealand, in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It dwells at a depth range of 425–820 metres. Females can reach a maximum total length of 58 centimetres.[2]
| Deepwater big-eyed worm eel | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Anguilliformes |
| Family: | Ophichthidae |
| Genus: | Scolecenchelys |
| Species: | S. castlei
|
| Binomial name | |
| Scolecenchelys castlei McCosker, 2006
| |
The species epithet "castlei" was given in honour of Peter Henry John Castle.[2]
References
edit- ^ Common names for Scolecenchelys castlei at www.fishbase.org.
- ^ a b c Scolecenchelys castlei at www.fishbase.org.
- ^ McCosker, J. E., 2006 [ref. 28592] A new deepwater species of worm-eel, Scolecenchelys castlei (Anguilliformes: Ophichthidae), from New Zealand and Australia, with comments on S. breviceps and S. macroptera. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand v. 36 (no. 1): 17-26.
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