New Distribution of the Serpent Eel Ophisurus serpens (Linnaeus, 1758) in Eastern Mediterranean: First Record from the Syrian Marine Waters

International Journal of Agriculture & Environmental Science

© 2019 by SSRG - IJAES Journal

Volume 6 Issue 3

Year of Publication : 2019

Authors : Firas Alshawy, Amir Ibrahim, Chirine Hussein, Murhaf Lahlah

10.14445/23942568/IJAES-V6I3P110

How to Cite?

Firas Alshawy, Amir Ibrahim, Chirine Hussein, Murhaf Lahlah, "New Distribution of the Serpent Eel Ophisurus serpens (Linnaeus, 1758) in Eastern Mediterranean: First Record from the Syrian Marine Waters," SSRG International Journal of Agriculture & Environmental Science, vol. 6,  no. 3, pp. 50-52, 2019. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23942568/IJAES-V6I3P110

Abstract:

Ophichthidae species (snake eels) spread from tropical to sub-tropical waters and inhabit sandy substrate. They have tall body, big head, long snout and pointed teeth. This family possesses 318 species. On19/5/2019, a field trip was performed in the marine waters facing Banyas city, Syria. A specimen of the serpent eel Ophisurus serpens (Linnaeus, 1758) was caught at a depth of ~220 m. This study reveals that the serpent eel Ophisurus serpens has been recorded for the first time in the Syrian marine waters.Several factors such as climate changes in the Mediterranean Sea may had led this species to migrate into the area.

Keywords:

Ophichthidae, OphisurusserpensSyrian marine waters, Eastern Mediterranean,climate changes

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SSRG International Journal of Agriculture & Environmental Science (SSRG-IJAES) – Volume 6 Issue 3 – May to June 2019
ISSN: 2394 - 2568 http://www.internationaljournalssrg.org Page 52
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