Scolecenchelys robusta Hibino & Kimura, 2015
Robust worm eel

Family:  Ophichthidae (Snake eels), subfamily: Myrophinae
Max. size:  29 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; marine
Distribution:  Western Indian Ocean: RĂ©union and Mauritius.
Diagnosis:  Vertebrae: 130-136. This species of the Scolecenchelys gymnota species group is distinguished by the following set of characters: head 12-13 % TL; tail 54-58 % TL; body depth 3.7-4.2 % TL; snout 19-25 % HL; horizontal distance between dorsal-fin origin and a vertical through mid-anus 0.6-36 % HL; blunt snout blunt; rictus of mouth anterior to or just below a vertical through posterior margin of eye; upper-jaw teeth in biserial arrangement, vomer uniserial; predorsal vertebrae 50-53, preanal 49-51, total 130-136; MVF 52-50-132 (Ref. 104540).
Biology:  Probably a shallow water species (depth of occurrence unknown) (Ref. 104540).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:  Type locality of Scolecenchelys robusta (Ref. 104540).


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