Diaphenchelys dalmatian Hibino, Satapoomin & Kimura, 2017
Dalmatian moray eel

Family:  Muraenidae (Moray eels), subfamily: Muraeninae
Max. size:  50.3 cm TL (female)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range - 100 m
Distribution:  Eastern Indian Ocean to Western Pacific: Thailand.
Diagnosis:  Vertebrae: 126-131. This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: tail 62.0-64.6% TL; infraorbital pores along upper lip 3; mandibular pores 5; predorsal vertebrae 6-9, preanal vertebrae 43-46 and total 126-131; MVF 7-45-128; ground color of body white, with numerous brown dalmatian-like spots dorsolaterally (Ref. 114785).
Biology:  Collecting depth and environment of the present specimens are unclear, but the holotype is strongly considered to be from the muddy bottom of less than 100 m depth because it was collected with Gymnothorax mccoskeri, Ophichthus cephalozona, Muraenesox cinereus, and some apogonid and leiognathid fishes that generally collected from shallow coastal water (Ref. 114785).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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