The surf eel (Ichthyapus ophioneus), also known as the Finless snake eel in the United States,[3] is an eel in the family Ophichthidae (worm/snake eels).[4] It was described by Barton Warren Evermann and Millard Caleb Marsh in 1900, originally under the genus Sphagebranchus.[5] It is a marine, tropical eel which is known from the western and eastern Atlantic Ocean, including Bermuda, the Bahamas, Florida, USA; Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, northern South America, and St. Helena Island. It dwells at a maximum depth of 35 metres (115 ft), most often between 5 and 15 metres (16 and 49 ft), and forms burrows in sand bottoms in surf areas, from which its common name is derived. Males can reach a maximum total length of 45 centimetres (18 in).[4]
Surf eel | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Anguilliformes |
Family: | Ophichthidae |
Genus: | Ichthyapus |
Species: | I. ophioneus
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Binomial name | |
Ichthyapus ophioneus | |
Synonyms[2] | |
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References
edit- ^ McCosker, J. (2015). "Ichthyapus ophioneus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2015: e.T190405A1950883. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-2.RLTS.T190405A1950883.en. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
- ^ Synonyms of Ichthyapus ophioneus at www.fishbase.org.
- ^ Common names of 'Ichthyapus ophioneus at www.fishbase.org.
- ^ a b Ichthyapus ophioneus at www.fishbase.org.
- ^ Evermann, B. W. and M. C. Marsh, 1900 (29 Dec.) [ref. 14876] The fishes of Porto Rico. Bulletin of the U. S. Fish Commission v. 20 (pt 1) [for 1900]: 49-350, Pls. 1-49.