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Muraenichthys philippinensis Schultz & Woods, 1949 Philippines worm eel |
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photo by
Sandra J. Raredon / Smithsonian Institution, NMNH, Div. of Fishes |
| Family: | Ophichthidae (Snake eels), subfamily: Myrophinae | |||
| Max. size: | 30 cm TL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | demersal; marine; depth range - 59 m | |||
| Distribution: | Western Central Pacific: Philippines. | |||
| Diagnosis: | Vertebrae: 128-130. Description: Characterized by origin of dorsal fin posterior to anus by distance about equal to head length; head and trunk slightly longer than tail; posterior nostril outside of mouth; bluntly rounded snout; no pectoral fins; dorsal and anal fins confluent with caudal fin; soft and flexible tail tip; small and sharp teeth, mostly biserial on upper jaw and uniserial in lower jaw; intermaxillary patch with few teeth; biserial to uniserial vomerine teeth (Ref. 90102). | |||
| Biology: | Cryptic species, inhabits sandy substrates (Ref 90102). | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 14 November 2019 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||