Deepwater big-eyed worm eel

The deepwater big-eyed worm eel[1] (Scolecenchelys castlei) is an eel in the family Ophichthidae (worm/snake eels).[2] It was described by John E. McCosker in 2006.[3] It is a subtropical, marine eel which is known from New Zealand, in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It dwells at a depth range of 425–820 metres. Females can reach a maximum total length of 58 centimetres.[2]

Deepwater big-eyed worm eel
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Anguilliformes
Family: Ophichthidae
Genus: Scolecenchelys
Species:
S. castlei
Binomial name
Scolecenchelys castlei
McCosker, 2006

The species epithet "castlei" was given in honour of Peter Henry John Castle.[2]

References

edit
  1. ^ Common names for Scolecenchelys castlei at www.fishbase.org.
  2. ^ a b c Scolecenchelys castlei at www.fishbase.org.
  3. ^ McCosker, J. E., 2006 [ref. 28592] A new deepwater species of worm-eel, Scolecenchelys castlei (Anguilliformes: Ophichthidae), from New Zealand and Australia, with comments on S. breviceps and S. macroptera. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand v. 36 (no. 1): 17-26.