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| Uropterygius cyamommatus Huang, Liao & Tan, 2023 facebook.com: Wen-Chien Huang |
Abstract
Uropterygius cyamommatus, new species, is described based on nine specimens from limestone anchialine caves in Christmas Island and Panglao Island. This species is a small-sized, elongated moray eel belonging to the uniform brown-coloured species group of the genus. It differs from all congeners of Uropterygius in having very small eyes (3.0–4.6% of head length), a relatively long tail (56.3–61.1% of total length), and a comparatively large number of vertebrae (total vertebrae 141–149). The new species represents the first-recorded moray eel that inhabits anchialine caves.
Key words. eastern Indian Ocean, Elopomorpha, Uropterygiinae, western Pacific Ocean
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| Uropterygius cyamommatus, new species, holotype, WAM P.35403.001, 361 mm TL. fresh colouration. Arrows indicate the position of anus. photographed by Heok Hui Tan |
Uropterygius cyamommatus, new species
Common name: Bean-eyed Snake Moray
豆眼鰭尾鯙
Diagnosis. A small-sized slender moray eel of genus
Uropterygius. Tail long, 56.3–61.1% of TL. Eyes very small,
3.0–4.6% of HL, sometimes reduced and subcutaneous. One
branchial pore. Maxillary teeth biserial. Dentary teeth 2–3
rows anteriorly, biserial posteriorly. Body uniform brown.
Anterior nostril, gill opening, oral cavity, and head pores
whitish. Pre-anus vertebrae 56–62, pre-dorsal fin vertebrae
130–138, pre-anal fin vertebrae 131–139, total vertebrae
141–149.
Etymology. From Greek words kúamos (a bean) and ómma (the eye), in reference to its tiny bean-shaped eyes.
Wen-Chien Huang, Te-Yu Liao and Heok Hui Tan. 2023. Uropterygius cyamommatus, A New Moray Eel (Anguilliformes: Muraenidae) from Anchialine Caves in Christmas Island, Australia, and Panglao Island, the Philippines. Raffles. Bull. Zool. 71; 268–278.
