蛇鳗科分类综述及中国蛇鳗科系统分类(鱼纲,鳗鲡目)

蛇鳗科鱼类广布于各大洋的热带和亚热带大陆架水域,可依靠尖突的头部和尖秃骨化的尾端在沙土或珊瑚礁前后潜穴。蛇鳗科是鳗鲡目中体形较为特化而种类分化最多的一个科,目前已发现55属260多种。但其外形相似,又缺少鳞片、腹鳍和尾鳍等结构,鉴别特征较少。一般依据胸鳍的有无或发达程度,背鳍起点、鳃孔、肛门、鼻孔和眼等的相对位置,颌的发达程度和颌上是否具须,齿的形状和排列方式,身体的斑纹,以及头部和体侧的侧线孔数目等进行鉴别。通过全面考察蛇鳗科的研究历史,详细总结了该科的形态特征和类群划分,概述了其生态特点和地理分布。对中国已有种类进行了详尽的整理,编制了包括13属33种蛇鳗科鱼类的属种检索表。

A taxonomic study on snake eel family Ophichthidae in China with the review of Ophichthidae (Pisces,Anguiliformes)

Distributed in continental shelf depths of all tropica and subtropical oceans,Ophichthidae can burrow in sand and mud substrates or coral reefs by pointed rayless tail tips or acute snouts.Ophichthidae contains more than 260 species distributed among 55 genera,representing the greatest specialization diversity in Anguiliformes.Ophichthidae possess similar morphological or osteological characters,so more difficult to be identified.Diagnostic characters for the recognition of species include the presence or absence of pectoral fin,the position of dorsal fin origin,gill opening,anus,nostril opening and eye,the cirri present or not,the dentition type,the body coloration,and the head pores or lateral line etc. The present paper reviews the history and present situation of studies on Ophichthidae,summarizes the morphological characteristics,the phylogenetic relationships among genera in great detail.An identification key of Chinese Ophichthidae is provided for each of the 13 genera and 33 species recognized.