Record of the rare Caribbean mud eel, Pythonichthys sanguineus (Heterenchelyidae, Anguilliformes), in the region of the Amazon Reef

Author(s)

Rotundo, Matheus Marcos ^[1] ; Machado, Leonardo ^[2] ; Oliveira, Claudio ^[2] ; Rosa dos Santos, Wagner Cesar ^[3] ; Marceniuk, Alexandre Pires ^{[3, 2]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Santa Cecilia, Acervo Zool, Santos, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Estadual Pauhsta, Dept Morfol, Botucatu, SP - Brazil

^[3] Ctr Pesquisa & Gestao Recursos Pesqueiros Litoral, Belem, Para - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Acta Amazonica; v. 49, n. 2, p. 131-138, APR-JUN 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

ABSTRACT As they spend most of their time buried in the substrate and are not a fishery resource, heterenchelyids are seldom seen. These eels are characterized by their greatly reduced eyes, which are covered by semi-transparent skin, the absence of a pectoral fin or lateral line, and no pores on the head or body. Pythonichthys sanguineus is a particularly poorly-known species, with only eight scientific records from Cuba, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, and Suriname. The present study is based on six adult specimens of P. sanguineus captured by vessels of the shrimp trawling fleet along the northern Brazilian coast, in the vicinity of the Amazon Reef. We provide meristic, morphometric and DNA barcoding data. These findings provide insights into the distribution of the species off the northern Brazilian coast and contribute to the discussion about the southern limit of the Greater Caribbean fauna. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/09204-6 - Biodiversity and Biogeography in marine-estuarine fishes (Teleostei) from Brazil
• Grantee: Claudio de Oliveira
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants