The elastic eel[2] (Phaenomonas pinnata) is an eel in the family Ophichthidae (worm/snake eels).[3] It was described by George S. Myers and Charles Barkley Wade in 1941.[4] It is a tropical, marine eel which is known from the eastern central and southeastern Pacific Ocean, including Colombia, Ecuador, Costa Rica, and Mexico.[3][1] It dwells at a depth range of 1–35 metres, inhabiting sandy bottoms. Males can reach a maximum total length of 53.5 centimetres.[3]

Elastic eel
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Anguilliformes
Family: Ophichthidae
Genus: Phaenomonas
Species:
P. pinnata
Binomial name
Phaenomonas pinnata
Myers & Wade, 1941
Synonyms[1]
  • Leptocephalus alternatus Fowler 1938

Due to the relatively wide distribution of the Elastic eel, as well as a lack of known threats or observed population decline, the IUCN redlist currently lists the species as Least Concern. Its distribution does, however, partially include marine protected areas, such as those in the Gulf of California.[1]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c Phaenomonas pinnata at the IUCN redlist.
  2. ^ Common names for Phaenomonas pinnata at www.fishbase.org.
  3. ^ a b c Phaenomonas pinnata at www.fishbase.org.
  4. ^ Myers, G. S. and C. B. Wade, 1941 (25 June) [ref. 3133] Four new genera and ten new species of eels from the Pacific coast of tropical America. Allan Hancock Pacific Expedition 1932-40, Los Angeles v. 9 (no. 4): 65-111, Pls. 7-16.