Teleostei (teleosts) >
Anguilliformes (Eels and morays) >
Ophichthidae (Snake eels) > Ophichthinae
Etymology: Ophichthus: Greek, ophis = serpent + Greek, ichthys = fish (Ref. 45335); brevirostris: Name from Latin 'brevis' meaning short and 'rostrum' for snout or muzzle; noun in apposition..
More on authors: McCosker & Ross.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; benthopelagic; depth range 370 - 440 m (Ref. 75745). Subtropical
Western Atlantic Ocean: North Carolina, USA.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 29.2 cm TL (female)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
This moderately elongate species is distinguished by the following: tail 58% and head 9.6% of total length; dorsal-fin origin is above the pectoral fins; elongated pectoral fins, filamentous dorsally; large eyes, the center behind middle of upper jaw; posterior nostril covered by a flap; head pores apparent, SO 1 + 4, IO 4 + 2, POM 6 + 2; teeth are small, conical, and slightly recurved, numerous and close-set; uniserial on vomer and mandible, biserial on maxillary, the inner row larger; pale color, overlain on mid-flank by a dark band; vertebral formula 13/60/153 (Ref. 75745)..
Collection assumed to be over soft substrates, the tow was usually no farther than 300-400 m from known coral habitat. Captured during the trawl included species typical of slope habitat (14 species dominated by Laemonema barbatulum and Helicolenus dactylopterus) and invertebrates (Ref. 75745).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturities | Reproduction | Spawnings | Egg(s) | Fecundities | Larvae
McCosker, J.E. and S.W. Ross, 2007. A new deepwater species of the snake eel genus Ophichthus (Anguilliformes: Ophichthidae) from North Carolina,. Copeia 2007(4):783-787. (Ref. 75745)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: of no interest
Tools
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Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5000 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.00089 (0.00039 - 0.00204), b=3.00 (2.80 - 3.20), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this (Sub)family-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 3.7 ±0.6 se; based on size and trophs of closest relatives
Resilience (Ref.
120179): High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (19 of 100).
