Pacific worm eel
| Pacific worm eel | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Division: | Teleostei |
| Order: | Anguilliformes |
| Family: | Ophichthidae |
| Genus: | Myrophis |
| Species: | M. vafer |
| Binomial name | |
| Myrophis vafer Jordan & C. H. Gilbert, 1883 | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
The Pacific worm eel (Myrophis vafer, also known commonly as the worm eel in the United Kingdom[3]) is an eel in the family Ophichthidae (worm/snake eels).[4] It was described by David Starr Jordan and Charles Henry Gilbert in 1883.[5] It is a marine, subtropical eel which is known from the eastern central and southeastern Pacific Ocean, including California, USA, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Ecuador, Honduras, Mexico, Guatemala, Panama, Nicaragua, and Peru.[1] It dwells at a depth range of 1 to 12 metres (0 to 40 ft), and inhabits sand and mud sediments. Unlike many species of eel, it does not form burrows. Males can reach a maximum total length of 46 centimetres (1 ft 6 in).[4]
Young Pacific worm eels are drawn to lights at the sea's surface.[4] Due to its wide distribution, lack of known major threats and lack of observed population decline, the IUCN redlist currently lists the species as Least Concern.[1]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 McCosker, J.; Béarez, P.; and Lea, B. (2010). "Myrophis vafer". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2010 e.T184046A8227715. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T184046A8227715.en. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
- ↑ Fricke, Ron; Eschmeyer, William N. & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Species related to Myrophis vafer". Catalog of Fishes. California Academy of Sciences.
- ↑ "Common names of Myrophis vafer". fishbase.org.
- 1 2 3 Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Myrophis vafer". FishBase.
- ↑ Jordan, D. S. and C. H. Gilbert (29 May 1883). "Description of two new species of fishes (Myrophis vafer and Chloroscombrus orqueta) from Panama". Proceedings of the United States National Museum. 5 (334): 645–647.
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