Convict snake eel

Convict snake eel
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Anguilliformes
Family:	Ophichthidae
Genus:	Leiuranus
Species:	L. versicolor
Binomial name
	Leiuranus versicolor; (Richardson, 1848)
Synonyms
	Ophisurus versicolor Richardson, 1848; Cyclophichthys versicolor (Richardson, 1848); Elapsopis versicolor (Richardson, 1848); Elapsopsis versicolor (Richardson, 1848); Ophichthus cyclorhinus Fraser-Brunner, 1934; Cyclophichthys cyclorhinus (Fraser-Brunner, 1934); Elapsopis cyclorhinus (Fraser-Brunner, 1934);

The Convict snake eel^[2] (Leiuranus versicolor) is an eel in the family Ophichthidae (worm/snake eels).^[3] It was described by John Richardson in 1848.^[4] It is a tropical, marine eel which is known from the Pacific Ocean, including Palau, Australia, Papua New Guinea, and Norfolk Island. It dwells at a depth range of 3–18 metres, and forms burrows in the soft bottoms of inshore regions. Males can reach a maximum total length of 75.4 centimetres.^[3]

References

^ Synonyms of Leiuranus versicolor at www.fishbase.org.
^ Common names for Leiuranus versicolor at www.fishbase.org.
^ ^a ^b Leiuranus versicolor at www.fishbase.org.
^ Richardson, J., 1844-48 [ref. 3740] Ichthyology of the voyage of H. M. S. Erebus & Terror,... In: J. Richardson & J. E. Gray. The zoology of the voyage of H. H. S. "Erebus & Terror," under the command of Captain Sir J. C. Ross ... during ... 1839-43. London. v. 2 (2): i-viii + 1-139, Pls. 1-60.

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