Taxonomic studies of congrid eels (Anguilliformes: Congridae) from Taiwan

• Main Authors: Yung-Hsu Chang, 張詠絮
• Other Authors: Hong-Ming Chen
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2011
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/53603726074836672543

碩士 === 國立臺灣海洋大學 === 水產養殖學系 === 99 === The taxonomic literatures on conger eels was deficient in Taiwan, because they are difficult to be identified. There are 160 species, 32 genera, in 3 subfamilies of Congridae in the world. The species diversity of Congridae is the third one and only lower than Ophichthidae and Muraenidae in Anguilliformes. Congrid eels are benthic fishes and with big eyes but no scales on body, occur their in deep, water of tropical or temperate areas, lateral line complete, and usually has pectoral fins . The specimens were captured from Taiwan by bottom long-line or bottom trawl. We also checked the specimens from the Institute of Zoology, Academia Sinica, Eastern Marine Biology Research Center, Fisheries Research Institute, National Taiwan University Museum, National Taiwan Museum, National Museum of Marine Science and Technology, and National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium. This thesis has recognized 3 subfamilies, 13 genera, and 25 species of congrid eels off Taiwan, including 1 newly recorded genus, 7 newly recorded species, 1 recently newly recorded species: Blachea xenobrachialis, and corrected 1 misidentified species. This thesis reviewed and identified the congrid eels in Taiwan, and keys to the species, genera, subfamilies of Congridae. Diagnoses, dentitions, figures, color pictures, distributions, and remarks for all congrid species are provided. Tables of previous Taiwanese taxonomic literatures on conger eels, and the specimens distributions are also provided. This thesis also used numerical classification method for deriving natural classes by surveying 10 characters of congrid’s measuring distinctive features and 3 parts of congrid’s vertebrae counts.