Earthworm Eels

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Earthworm Eels
The type specimens of Chaudhuria caudata from the first description by Nelson Annandale.

The type specimens of Chaudhuria caudata from the first description by Nelson Annandale.

Systematics
Sub-cohort : Neoteleostei
Acanthomorphata
Spinefish (Acanthopterygii)
Perch relatives (Percomorphaceae)
Order : Gill slit eels (Synbranchiformes)
Family : Earthworm Eels
Scientific name
Chaudhuriidae
Annandale , 1919

The earthworms (Chaudhuriidae) are a small family (about ten species described) in the order of the gill-slit-eel-like (Synbranchiformes). The fish resemble earthworms in size and color.

features

As a result of their small size and semi-burrowing lifestyle many bones elements are reduced: basisphenoid , Pterosphenoid, Entopterygoid , Dermopalatinum, Autopalatinum, Posttemporale (rear temporal bone), the Branchiospinen , the dental plate of Pharyngobranchiale II (s. Fish skull , distal Pectoral-radials, Dorsalis-) and anal spines and their pterygiophores, epuralia, uroneuralia , parhypurals; Reduction in the number of epicentralia and hypuralia . The eyes are small, under a thick skin, so these fish are often practically blind (but of course sensitive to light). Earthworms live in (often very shallow) water ditches, ponds, swamp meadows, rice fields ( synanthropic ) of insect larvae, small crabs and other benthic and sediment-dwelling animals: the jaws are finely toothed. Very little is known about their other biology. The lateral line canals are mostly missing, the scales often, the skin is slippery (only the genus Chendol has scales and lateral line canals). The pectoral fins are small and lobate; the caudal fin is small, reduced to a ray or completely absent (so that the dorsal and anal fin in the genera Nagaichthys and Pillaia form a border). Chaudhuria has 72 vertebrae and the fin formula D 40, A 40, C 7.

According to Yazdani (1976), Pillaia indica still has a rostral cartilage rod , which, like the reduction of the palatine region of the jockstrap (among other things ), speaks for the relationship between earthworm eels and spiny eels (Mastacembelidae). Annandale was still considered to be eel-like (Anguilliformes), and later it was sometimes assumed that they could be derived from slime- fish- like (Blennioidei) or perch (Nandidae).

Genera and species

The genera and species: Distribution (between India, Korea and Borneo) and maximum lengths:

Remarks

  1. ↑ from Chaudhuri , a common place and family name in Bangladesh and Myanmar [Burma].

literature

  • Ralf Britz (2009). Descriptive Osteology of the Family Chaudhuriidae (Teleostei, Synbranchiformes, Mastacembeloidei), with a Discussion of Its Relationships. American Museum Novitates. 3418. 1-62. doi : 10.1206 / 0003-0082 (2003) 418 <0001: DOOTFC> 2.0.CO; 2
  • Joseph S. Nelson : Fishes of the World . John Wiley & Sons, 2006, ISBN 0-471-25031-7 .
  • RA Travers (1984): A review of the Mastacembeloidei, a suborder of synbranchiform fishes. Part I: Anatomical descriptions. Bull. Br. Mus. Nat. Hist. (Zool.) 46: 1-133.

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