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Observations of large muraenid leptocephali in coastal Indonesia: locations of sightings and behaviour of the larvae

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 July 2013

Michael J. Miller ,
Rob Rutgers ,
Barry Haythorne ,
Tunç Yavuzdoğan ,
Seishoku Obata ,
Tony Wu ,
Henny Rutgers ,
Jerry Powell  and
Katsumi Tsukamoto
Michael J. Miller*
Affiliation:
Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8564, Japan
Rob Rutgers
Affiliation:
Hoensbroek, The Netherlands
Barry Haythorne
Affiliation:
Rotherham, South Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Tunç Yavuzdoğan
Affiliation:
Ayışığı Diving Center, Bağdat Cad, Istanbul, Turkey
Seishoku Obata
Affiliation:
Omiya-shi, Saitama-ken, Japan
Tony Wu
Affiliation:
Yokohama-shi, Kohoku-ku, Kanagawa-ken, Japan
Henny Rutgers
Affiliation:
Hoensbroek, The Netherlands
Jerry Powell
Affiliation:
Winterthur Museum & Country Estate, Winterthur, Delaware, USA
Katsumi Tsukamoto
Affiliation:
Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8564, Japan
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: M.J. Miller, Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8564, Japan email: miller@aori.u-tokyo.ac.jp
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Abstract

A large often greenish-appearing type of leptocephalus larva has been observed and photographed or filmed by divers at 4 different locations within the Indonesian Archipelago from 2008 to 2011, and this paper documents these sightings and evaluates what can be learned about this type of unusual eel larvae. These leptocephali (~300–400 mm long) appear to be exceptionally large metamorphosing larvae of some type of moray eel of the family Muraenidae. Because of the morphological similarities between these larvae and ribbon eels, Rhinomuraena quaesita, they are hypothesized to be their larvae, which have never been distinguished among leptocephali of the Muraenidae. These leptocephali were observed at Sangeang Island, in Lembeh Strait adjacent to north-eastern Sulawesi Island, in two different years at Ambon Island, and on two consecutive days at Bali, between December and June of 4 different years. All observations of the large leptocephali were at depths shallower than about 23 m in areas with mixed coral rubble or coarse sand and silt substrates during daylight hours. The larvae used various styles of anguilliform swimming and swam near the bottom or in the lower water column while being observed. One larva tried unsuccessfully several times to enter small crevices. They were all at the metamorphosing stage and may have been entering coastal habitats to find a hiding place where they could transform into juvenile eels. Further studies are needed to clearly identify these large leptocephali and to learn about their life history.

Keywords

Anguilliformesleptocephalimoray eelsribbon eelsmetamorphosisrecruitmentswimming behaviourIndonesia
Type
Research Article
Information
Marine Biodiversity Records , Volume 6 , 2013 , e82
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2013 

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