Diaphenchelys laimospila Huang, Smith & Liao, 2021
Spotted-throat moray

Family:  Muraenidae (Moray eels), subfamily: Muraeninae
Max. size:  52.5 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine
Distribution:  Northwest Pacific: Taiwan.
Diagnosis:  Vertebrae: 125-131. This moderately sized, elongate species is distinguished by the following: tail very long, more than twice its trunk length, compressed posteriorly, tip pointed; snout blunt, nasal cavity somewhat enlarged; eyes well anteriorly placed, closer to tip of snout than corner of mouth; supraorbital pores 3, infraorbital pores 3, preoperculo-mandibular pores 6; maxillary teeth biserial, dentary teeth uniserial or biserial anteriorly. Colouration: ground color of body pale brown, with whitish spots scattered on head, body, and dorsal fin, scarcely perceptible on snout, anal fin and posterior part of tail; caudal fin semi-transparent, fins on posterior part of tail with dark brown margin; vertebrae, predorsal 4, preanal 45, total 125-131. (Ref. 123899).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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