Shortfin false moray

The shortfin false moray[2] (Kaupichthys brachychirus) is an eel in the family Chlopsidae.[3] It was described by Leonard Peter Schultz in 1953.[4] It is a tropical, marine eel which is known from American Samoa, Samoa, Australia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Indonesia, the Marshall Islands, New Caledonia, Palau, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and Wallis and Futuna.[1] It typically dwells in seaward and lagoon coral reefs at an approximate depth of 43 m. Males can reach a maximum total length of 13 centimetres (5.1 in).[3]

Shortfin false moray
Biofluorescence of Kaupichthys brachychirus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Anguilliformes
Family: Chlopsidae
Genus: Kaupichthys
Species:
K. brachychirus
Binomial name
Kaupichthys brachychirus

The shortfin false moray exhibits biofluorescence, that is, when illuminated by blue or ultraviolet light, it re-emits it as green, and appears differently than under white light illumination. Biofluorescence may assist in intraspecific communication and camouflage.[5]

Owing to its wide distribution, and lack of knowledge of threats or observed population declines, the IUCN Redlist currently lists the shortfin false moray as Least Concern.[1]

References
  1. Fricke, R. (2010). Kaupichthys brachychirus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-4.RLTS.T155141A4728007.en
  2. Common names for Kaupichthys brachychirus at www.fishbase.org.
  3. Kaupichthys brachychirus at www.fishbase.org.
  4. Schultz, L. P., E. S. Herald, E. A. Lachner, A. D. Welander and L. P. Woods, 1953 [ref. 3975] Fishes of the Marshall and Marianas islands. Vol. I. Families from Asymmetrontidae through Siganidae. Bulletin of the United States National Museum No. 202, v. 1: i-xxxii + 1-685, Pls. 1-74.
  5. Sparks, John S.; Schelly, Robert C.; Smith, W. Leo; Davis, Matthew P.; Tchernov, Dan; Pieribone, Vincent A.; Gruber, David F. (2014). "The Covert World of Fish Biofluorescence: A Phylogenetically Widespread and Phenotypically Variable Phenomenon". PLOS ONE. 9 (1): e83259. Bibcode:2014PLoSO...983259S. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0083259. PMC 3885428. PMID 24421880.


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