Muraena
Temporal range:
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Anguilliformes
Family: Muraenidae
Subfamily: Muraeninae
Genus: Muraena
Linnaeus, 1758
Type species
Muraena helena[2]
Linnaeus, 1758
Species

See text.

Muraena is a genus of twelve species of large eels in the family Muraenidae.

This genus is common in the Mediterranean, and is abundantly represented in tropical and subtropical seas, especially in rocky parts or on coral reefs. In the majority, a long fin runs from the head along the back, round the tail to the vent, but all are destitute of pectoral and ventral fins. The skin is scaleless and smooth, in many species ornamented with varied and bright colours.[3]

The mouth is wide, the jaws strong and armed with formidable, generally sharply pointed, teeth, which enable the Muraena not only to seize its prey (which chiefly consists of other fishes) but also to inflict serious, and sometimes dangerous, wounds on its enemies. It attacks persons who approach its places of concealment in shallow water, and is feared by fishermen.[3] At least one species, Muraena retifera, possesses an additional "raptorial pharyngeal jaw" within the pharynx, which is mobile and can be thrust forwards quickly to assist in grasping prey.[4]

Muraena helena

Some of the tropical Muraenas exceed a length of 5 feet (150 cm), but most of the species, among them the Mediterranean moray, are somewhat smaller. The latter, the "murena" of the Italians and the Muraena helena of ichthyologists, was considered by the ancient Romans to be one of the greatest delicacies, and was kept in large ponds and aquaria. It is not confined to the coasts of southern Europe, but is spread over the Indian Ocean, and is not uncommon on the coasts of Australia. Its body is generally of a rich brown, marked with large yellowish spots, each of which contains smaller brown spots.[3]

Species

Formerly Included Species

  • Muraena anguilla Linnaeus, 1758 (European eel) - valid as Anguilla anguilla Linnaeus, 1758

References

  1. ↑ Sepkoski, Jack (2002). "A compendium of fossil marine animal genera". Bulletins of American Paleontology. 364: 560. Retrieved 2008-01-08.
  2. ↑ ICZN (1992). "Opinion 1672. Muraena Linnaeus, 1758 and Anguilla Schrank, 1798 (Osteichthyes, Anguilliformes): placed on the Official List of Generic Names". The Bulletin of Zoological Nomenclature. 49 (1): 92–93.
  3. 1 2 3 One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Muraena". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 17 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 15–16.
  4. ↑ "For moray eels, two jaws better than one - Environment - smh.com.au". Sydney Morning Herald.
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