Uropterygius oligospondylus Chen, Randall & Loh, 2008
Few-vertebrae moray
photo by Chen, H.M.

Family:  Muraenidae (Moray eels), subfamily: Uropterygiinae
Max. size:  53.5 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; marine; depth range 0 - 15 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific, Taiwan, Solomon Is., and Vanuatu.
Diagnosis:  Vertebrae: 100-103. This species is distinguished by having the following characters: body color grey, blackish reticular pattern; higher body depth; fewer vertebrae (100-103); teeth on jaw 3 rows, denser dentition, longer teeth; anus close to mid-body point; head length 6.4-7.3 in TL; trunk length 2.7-2.8 in TL; depth at gill opening 12.0-15.5 in TL; eye diameter 21.4-23.3 in HL; snout length 4.9-6.2 in HL (Ref. 79875).
Biology:  Collected from rocky shores by longline and rotenone (Ref. 79875).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 05 November 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.