Ribbon eel

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Ribbon eel
Blue ribbon Eel fish on Pom Pom Island, Celebes resort, Sabah.jpg
Muraenidae - Rhinomuraena quaesita.jpg
Male (above) and female (below) in Borneo
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Anguilliformes
Family: Muraenidae
Genus: Rhinomuraena
Garman, 1888
Species:
R. quaesita
Binomial name
Rhinomuraena quaesita
Garman, 1888
Synonyms

Rhinomuraena amboinensis

The ribbon eel (Rhinomuraena quaesita), also known as the leaf-nosed moray eel or bernis eel, is a species of moray eel, the only member of the genus Rhinomuraena. The ribbon eel is found in sand burrows and reefs in the Indo-Pacific Ocean. Although generally placed in the moray eel family Muraenidae, it has several distinctive features leading some to place it in its own family, Rhinomuraenidae. [2]

Contents

Development

Ribbon eels are a diurnal species (active during the daytime). [2] Characterized by its long, thin body and high dorsal fins. The ribbon eel can easily be recognized by its expanded anterior nostrils and wide-open jaws. These eels can have up to 255 vertebra in their back bone, making them one of the most narrow and elongated eel species known. [3] The ribbon eel larva is described as a large, greenish leptocephalus. [4] Based on observed color changes, it is generally considered a protandic hermaphrodite (male to female transformation). [5] When necessary, male ribbon eels will develop reproductive organs, lay eggs, and then die. This developmental stage happens within about a month. [6] In their juvenile and subadult stages, ribbon eels appear primarily jet black with a yellow dorsal fin. In adult males, the black is replaced by a vibrant blue and yellow facial appearance. An adult female is entirely yellow or yellow with some blue to the posterior. [6] [7] Color change related to sex change is not known from any other moray eel species. The blue adult males range from 65 to 94 cm (26 to 37 in) in length, while the larger yellow females can reach up to 130 cm (51 in). [8] [7] It is presumed that even with its significant color changes throughout its development, coloring does not play a significant role in mating for a ribbon eel because the eels are colorblind (possessing only one of the two photoreceptor cells required to see colors). [2] In its natural habitat, ribbon eels can live up to twenty years. [6]

Full body picture Ribbon Moray Rhinomuraena quaesita (7963681710).jpg
Full body picture

Habitat

Ribbon eels prefer more shallow-water areas compared to other moray eels, frequenting a depth range of 1 to 57 meters. [2] This species is widely distributed and are seen by divers in Indonesian waters with their heads and anterior bodies protruding from crevices in sand and rubble habitats, like coral reefs, which they are able to slip through with their slime coat. [9] Typically, ribbon eels can be found in tropical parts of the Indian and Pacific Ocean, ranging from East Africa to southern Japan, Australia, and French Polynesia. [10]

Taxonomy

The ribbon eel is the only one of its genus, Rhinomuraena, in the subspecies Muraeninae of the moray eel family. Its unique morphology, such as its gonad structure and function are not shared with many of the other major genera in the family and provided evidence for separation. Typically, eels of the family urogenital system follow a posterior pattern toward the anus of the eel, but the Rhinomuraena system has its sex cells move anteriorly. [3] This change is presumed to be due to some evolutionary cause, like peripatric speciation. Previously, R. quaesita was used to identify the blue ribbon eels and R. amboinensis was used for black ribbon eels, but these are now recognized as the same species, R. quaesita.

Ribbon eel in black, presumed juvenile stage Black Ribbon Eel.jpg
Ribbon eel in black, presumed juvenile stage

Environmental Impacts

Ribbon eels are labeled "least concerned" on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as of 2009. [10] Recent studies on the effects of various environmental factors on marine eels have presented potential threats to the ribbon eel population. Marine eels that prefer to stay in shallower waters, specifically around coral reef habitats, are most at risk of suffering from the impacts of coral bleaching and other marine habitat damage caused by climate change or human activity (i.e. pollution). [11] The shift in habitat structure and diversity could make it harder for ribbon eels to find enough prey to survive and reproduce. Overfishing is another concern as it can lead to a reduction in the number of ribbon eels and their available prey. [11]

Ribbon eel occupying a coral reef Rhinomuraena quaesita by Waldemar Kulinski.jpg
Ribbon eel occupying a coral reef

Captivity

Most ribbon eels do not live longer than a year in captivity. Ribbon eels have been observed in many cases to stop eating after being captured and put into home aquariums. [6] Higher levels of success have been achieved in public aquaria, where there are a few reported cases of spawning at facilities in Europe and North America. [12] In captivity, the color differences are not related to maturity or gender. [12]

Although captured for the aquarium industry, it remains common and widespread, and is not considered threatened. [10]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moray eel</span> Family of fishes

Moray eels, or Muraenidae, are a family of eels whose members are found worldwide. There are approximately 200 species in 15 genera which are almost exclusively marine, but several species are regularly seen in brackish water, and a few are found in fresh water.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Laced moray</span> Species of fish

The laced moray, also known as the leopard moray, leopard moray eel, tessellate moray or honeycomb moray, is a species of marine fish in the family Muraenidae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kidako moray</span> Species of fish

The Kidako moray is a species of marine fish in the family Muraenidae. It inhabits coral reefs or lagoons and could be found in tropical and subtropical seas near Taiwan, Japan, and Australia. The species is diurnal, which means it is more active in the daytime than the nighttime. It is also piscivorous: it consumes fish, octopus, and squid. Other than the Kidako moray, there are about 200 species of moray eels in the Muraenidae family. The Kidako moray would not attack humans unless they are provoked. However, due to the menacing looks of the Kidako moray and moray eels in general, they are feared by divers and snorkelers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zebra moray</span> Species of fish

The zebra moray is a species of marine fish in the family Muraenidae. It is the only member of the genus Gymnomuraena, though it sometimes has been included in Echidna instead.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">California moray</span> Species of fish

The California moray is a moray eel of the family Muraenidae, found in the eastern Pacific from just north of Santa Barbara to Santa Maria Bay in Baja California. They are the only species of moray eel found off California, and one of the few examples of a subtropical moray. They typically occupy boulder or cobble habitats up to 40 m in depth. They can attain lengths of about 5 ft (1.52 m) and are believed to live for upwards of 22–26 years. Like other morays, they have no pelvic or pectoral fins or gill covers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yellow-edged moray</span> Species of fish

The yellow-edged moray, also known as yellow-margin(ed) moray, leopard moray, and speckled moray, is a moray eel of the family Muraenidae, found in the Indo-Pacific Oceans at depths to 150 m (500 ft).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Green moray</span> Species of eel

The green moray is a moray eel of the family Muraenidae, found in the western Atlantic Ocean from Long Island, New York, Bermuda, and the northern Gulf of Mexico to Brazil, at depths down to 40 metres (130 ft). Its length is up to 2.5 metres (8.2 ft). It is the largest moray species of the tropical Atlantic and one of the largest species of moray eel known. Though it is not considered endangered, the species is particularly under-studied and estimated to be undercounted by up to 400% in single-pass visual surveys.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Snowflake moray</span> Species of fish

The snowflake moray, also known as the clouded moray among many vernacular names, is a species of marine eel of the family Muraenidae. It has blunt teeth ideal for its diet of crustaceans, a trait it shares with the zebra moray.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geometric moray</span> Species of fish

The geometric moray is a moray eel of the family Muraenidae found throughout the western Indian Ocean at depths to 40 m. Its length is up to 65 cm. It is parasitized by Ichthyoxenus puhi, a species of isopod.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fimbriated moray</span> Species of fish

The fimbriated moray, also known as dark-spotted moray or spot-face moray, is a moray eel of the family Muraenidae.

<i>Gorgasia preclara</i> Species of fish

Gorgasia preclara, the splendid garden eel or orange-barred garden eel, is a species of marine garden eel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Giant moray</span> Species of fish

The giant moray is a species of moray eel and a species of marine fish in the family Muraenidae. In terms of body mass, it is the largest moray eel; however, the slender giant moray is the largest in terms of body length.

<i>Gymnothorax miliaris</i> Species of fish

Gymnothorax miliaris, the goldentail moray, bastard eel, or conger moray, is a species of marine fish in the family Muraenidae.

<i>Gymnothorax nudivomer</i> Species of fish

Gymnothorax nudivomer, the starry moray or yellowmouth moray, is a species of marine fish in the family Muraenidae.

Scuticaria okinawae is a moray eel found in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. It is commonly known as the shorttailed snake moray, shorttail moray, Seale's moray eel, or the Bennett's moray.

Channomuraena vittata is a rare species of moray eel from the Anguiliformes order found in reefs. It is commonly known as the broadbanded moray, banded moray, Chinese moray, double-ended moray, or the long-jawed moray.

<i>Echidna nocturna</i> Species of fish

Echidna nocturna is a moray eel found in the eastern Pacific Ocean, in the Gulf of California and around Peru and the Galapagos Islands. It was first named by Cope in 1872, and is commonly known as the freckled moray or the palenose moray. It was discovered that Echidna nocturna and Muraena acutis are the same species.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Whitemargin moray eel</span> Species of fish

The whitemargin moray or the white-edged moray, Gymnothorax albimarginatus, is a species of marine fish in the family Muraenidae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blackcheek moray eel</span> Species of fish

The blackcheek moray eel or masked moray is a species of marine fish in the family Muraenidae.

Gymnothorax hansi is an eel in the family Muraenidae. It was described by Phillip C. Heemstra in 2004. It is a tropical, marine eel which is known from reefs around Grand Comoro Island, in the Indian Ocean. It is known to dwell at a maximum depth of 143 m (469 ft).

References

  1. ↑ McCosker, J.E. (2010). "Rhinomuraena quaesita". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2010. IUCN: e.T155301A115297865. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-4.RLTS.T155301A4770176.en .
  2. 1 2 3 4 Wang, Feng Yu; Tang, Meng Yun; Yan, Hong Young (2011). "A comparative study on the visual adaptations of four species of moray eel". Vision Research. 51 (9): 1099–1108. doi:10.1016/j.visres.2011.02.025. ISSN   0042-6989. PMID   21385593.
  3. 1 2 Fishelson, L. (1 June 1990). "Rhinomuraena spp. (Pisces: Muraenidae): The first vertebrate genus with post-anally situated urogenital organs". Marine Biology. 105 (2): 253–257. Bibcode:1990MarBi.105..253F. doi:10.1007/BF01344294. ISSN   1432-1793.
  4. ↑ Miller, Michael J.; Rutgers, Rob; Haythorne, Barry; Yavuzdoğan, Tunç; Obata, Seishoku; Wu, Tony; Rutgers, Henny; Powell, Jerry; Tsukamoto, Katsumi (2013). "Observations of large muraenid leptocephali in coastal Indonesia: locations of sightings and behaviour of the larvae". Marine Biodiversity Records. 6. Bibcode:2013MBdR....6E..82M. doi:10.1017/S1755267213000079. ISSN   1755-2672.
  5. ↑ De Mitcheson, Yvonne Sadovy; Liu, Min (2008). "Functional hermaphroditism in teleosts". Fish and Fisheries. 9 (1): 1–43. Bibcode:2008AqFF....9....1D. doi:10.1111/j.1467-2979.2007.00266.x. ISSN   1467-2960.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Nezhukumatathil, Aimee (2020). World of Wonders: In Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks, and Other Astonishments. Minneapolis: Milkweed Editions. pp. 123–125. ISBN   978-1571313652.
  7. 1 2 Lieske, Ewald; Myers, Robert F. (1999). Coral reef fishes: Caribbean, Indian Ocean, and Pacific Ocean including the Red Sea. Princeton (N.J.): Princeton university press. ISBN   978-0-691-00481-5.
  8. ↑ Randall, John E.; Allen, Gerald R.; Steene, Roger, eds. (1990). Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. A CHP book. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press. ISBN   978-0-8248-1346-8.
  9. ↑ Pfaff, Cathrin; Zorzin, Roberto; Kriwet, Jürgen (11 August 2016). "Evolution of the locomotory system in eels (Teleostei: Elopomorpha)". BMC Evolutionary Biology. 16 (1): 159. Bibcode:2016BMCEE..16..159P. doi: 10.1186/s12862-016-0728-7 . ISSN   1471-2148. PMC   4981956 . PMID   27514517.
  10. 1 2 3 IUCN (4 February 2009). Rhinomuraena quaesita: McCosker, J.E.: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2010: e.T155301A115297865 (Report). International Union for Conservation of Nature. doi:10.2305/iucn.uk.2010-4.rlts.t155301a4770176.en.
  11. 1 2 Miller, M. J.; Wouthuyzen, S.; Aoyama, J.; Sugeha, H. Y.; Watanabe, S.; Kuroki, M.; Syahailatua, A.; Suharti, S.; Hagihara, S.; Tantu, F. Y.; Trianto; Otake, T.; Tsukamoto, K. (2021). "Will the High Biodiversity of Eels in the Coral Triangle be Affected by Climate Change?". IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science. 789 (1): 012011. Bibcode:2021E&ES..789a2011M. doi:10.1088/1755-1315/789/1/012011. ISSN   1755-1315.
  12. 1 2 Preininger, D.; Halbauer, R.; Bartsch, V.; Weissenbacher, A. (2015). "First observations of fertilized eggs and preleptocephalus larvae of Rhinomuraena quaesita in the Vienna Zoo". Zoo Biol. 34 (1): 85–88. doi:10.1002/zoo.21184. PMID   25385394.
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