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Turret snake eel

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Turret snake eel
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Anguilliformes
Family: Ophichthidae
Genus: Brachysomophis
Species:
B. umbonis
Binomial name
Brachysomophis umbonis

The turret snake eel[1] (Brachysomophis umbonis) is an eel in the family Ophichthidae (worm/snake eels).[2] It was described by John E. McCosker and John Ernest Randall in 2001.[3] It is a marine, tropical eel which is known from the Indo-Western Pacific, including Indonesia and the Philippines. It dwells at a depth range of 14 to 18 metres (46 to 59 ft), and inhabits sand and reefs. Males can reach a maximum total length of 13.9 centimetres (5.5 in).[2]

The species epithet, "umbonis", meaning "rounded protuberance" in Latin, refers to the prominent lateral projections of the eel's cheeks.[2]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Common names of Brachysomophis umbonis at www.fishbase.org.
  2. ^ a b c Brachysomophis umbonis at www.fishbase.org.
  3. ^ McCosker, J. E. and J. E. Randall 2001 [ref. 25635] Revision of the snake-eel genus Brachysomophis (Anguilliformes: Ophichthidae), with description of two new species and comments on the species of Mystriophis. Indo-Pacific Fishes No. 33: 1-32.