Leopard eel

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]

For the aquatic salamander, see Siren reticulata.

Leopard eel
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Anguilliformes
Family: Ophichthidae
Genus: Myrichthys
Species:
M. pardialis
Binomial name
Myrichthys pardialis
(Valenciennes, 1839)
Synonyms[1]
  • Ophisurus pardalis Valenciennes, 1839
  • Ophichthys pardalis (Valenciennes, 1839)
  • Myrichthys perdalis (Valenciennes, 1839)

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]

Distribution and habitat

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

The leopard eel's diet consists of benthic invertebrates.[5]

References
  1. Synonyms of Myrichthys pardalis at www.fishbase.org.
  2. Common names of Myrichthys pardalis at www.fishbase.org.
  3. Myrichthys pardalis at www.fishbase.org.
  4. 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.
  5. Food items reported for Myrichthys pardalis at www.fishbase.org.
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