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| Leopard eel | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Anguilliformes |
| Family: | Ophichthidae |
| Genus: | Myrichthys |
| Species: | M. pardialis
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| Binomial name | |
| Myrichthys pardialis (Valenciennes, 1839)
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| Synonyms[1] | |
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The leopard eel (Myrichthys pardalis) is an eel in the worm or snake eels family, Ophichthidae.[2][3] It was described by Achille Valenciennes in 1839, originally under the genus Ophisurus.[4]
Male leopard eels can reach a maximum total length of 64.8 cm (25.5 in).[3] It is of minor commercial interest to fisheries.[3]
Contents
- 1 Distribution and habitat
- 2 Ecology
- 3 References
- 4 External links
Distribution and habitat[edit]
It is a marine, tropical eel which is known from the eastern Atlantic Ocean, including the Canary Islands; Annobon Island, Equatorial Guinea; and São Tomé Island. It forms burrows in coarse sand sediments on rocky island coasts. Also found in the Western Atlantic Ocean (DR), size approx 100 cm
Ecology[edit]
The leopard eel's diet consists of benthic invertebrates.[5]
References[edit]
- ^ Synonyms of Myrichthys pardalis at www.fishbase.org.
- ^ Common names of Myrichthys pardalis at www.fishbase.org.
- ^ a b c Myrichthys pardalis at www.fishbase.org.
- ^ Valenciennes, A., 1837-44 [ref. 4502] Ichthyologie des îles Canaries, ou histoire naturelle des poissons rapportés par Webb & Berthelot. In: P. B. Webb & S. Berthelot. Histoire naturelle des îles Canaries. Paris, 1835-1850. v. 2 (pt 2): 1-109, 26 pls.
- ^ Food items reported for Myrichthys pardalis at www.fishbase.org.
External links[edit]
- Photos of Leopard eel on Sealife Collection