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Uropterygius polyspilus (Regan, 1909) Large-spotted snake moray |
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photo by
Randall, J.E. |
| Family: | Muraenidae (Moray eels), subfamily: Uropterygiinae | |||
| Max. size: | 78 cm TL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 18 m | |||
| Distribution: | Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to the Hawaiian and Society islands. | |||
| Diagnosis: | Vertebrae: 130-136. Covered with large dark purplish-brown spots arranged in 2-3 irregular series on a reddish-tan background. Closely resembles Scuticaria tigrina which has dark spots of differing sizes. Description: Characterized by body depth at gill opening 20-25 in TL; rudimentary fins; anus at or slightly posterior to middle of body; preanal length 1.9-2.0 in TL; gill opening slightly above middle of side; relatively short jaws; two rows of jaw teeth, long and needle-like inner teeth; median row at front of upper jaw with three longest teeth (Ref. 90102). | |||
| Biology: | Has been collected on reef flats (Ref. 37816). Benthic (Ref. 58302). Feeds on shrimps and fishes (Ref. 89972). Possibly a protogynous hermaphrodite (Ref. 32169). | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 19 August 2011 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||