Article
Vol. 33-1-4, 1994
A Review of the Muraenid Eels (Family Muraenidae) from Taiwan with Descriptions of Twelve New Records
Hong-Ming Chen, Kwang-Tsao Shao*, Che-Tsung Chen
Hong-Ming Chen
Institute of Zoology, Academia Sinica, Nankang, Taipei, Taiwan 115, R.O.C
Institute of Fisheries, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, Taiwan 202, R.O.C.
Kwang-Tsao Shao
Institute of Zoology, Academia Sinica, Nankang, Taipei, Taiwan 115, R.O.C
Institute of Marine Biology, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, Taiwan 202, R.O.C.
Che-Tsung Chen
Institute of Fisheries, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, Taiwan 202, R.O.C.

A total of 42 species belonging to 9 genera and 2 subfamilies of the family Muraenidae are indigenous to Taiwan. The 12 species: Enchelycore bikiniensis, Gymnothorax brunneus, G. javanicus, G. margaritophorus, G. melatremus, G. nudivomer, G. reevesii, G. zonipectis, Strophidon sathete, Uropterygius macrocephalus, U. micropterus, and U. tigrinus are first reported in this paper. The 7 species: Enchelycore lichenosa, E. schismatorhynchus, Gymnothorax buroensis, G. hepaticus, G. meleagris, G. richardsoni and Siderea thyrsoidea whose Taiwan existence was doubted or lacked specimens in the past are also recorded. Additionly, many species isidentifications or improper use of junior synonyms in previously literature stand corrected in this paper. Two previously recorded species Gymnothorax monostigmus and G. polyuranodon are, lacking Taiwan specimens, excluded. Color photographs, dentition patterns, synopsis, key, diagnosis, and remarks for all 42 species are provided in this paper.

Keywords

Moray eels, Fish taxonomy, Fish fauna, Anguilliformes

About this article
Citation:

Chen HM, Shao KT, Chen CT. 1994. A review of the muraenid eels (Family Muraenidae) from Taiwan with descriptions of twelve new records. Zool Stud 33:44-64. 

( Accepted 03 June 1993 )