A taxonomic study on snake eel family Ophichthidae in China with the review of Ophichthidae (Pisces,Anguiliformes)

Abstract:

Distributed in continental shelf depths of all tropica and subtropical oceans,Ophichthidae can burrow in sand and mud substrates or coral reefs by pointed rayless tail tips or acute snouts.Ophichthidae contains more than 260 species distributed among 55 genera,representing the greatest specialization diversity in Anguiliformes.Ophichthidae possess similar morphological or osteological characters,so more difficult to be identified.Diagnostic characters for the recognition of species include the presence or absence of pectoral fin,the position of dorsal fin origin,gill opening,anus,nostril opening and eye,the cirri present or not,the dentition type,the body coloration,and the head pores or lateral line etc. The present paper reviews the history and present situation of studies on Ophichthidae,summarizes the morphological characteristics,the phylogenetic relationships among genera in great detail.An identification key of Chinese Ophichthidae is provided for each of the 13 genera and 33 species recognized.