Myrophinae

Myrophinae, the worm eels, is a subfamily of ray-finned fishes belonging to the family Ophichthidae, which also includes the snake eels in the subfamily Ophichthinae.

Taxonomy

Myrophinae was first proposed as a subfamily by the German naturalist Johann Jakob Kaup in 1856. It is one of two subfamilies, alongside the subfamily Ophichthinae in the family Ophichthidae, which is classified within the suborder Congroidei within the eel order Anguilliformes.

Genera

The Myrophinae contains the following genera:Ahlia D. S. Jordan & Davis, 1891Asarcenchelys McCosker, 1985Benthenchelys Fowler, 1934Glenoglossa McCosker, 1982Mixomyrophis McCosker, 1985Muraenichthys Bleeker, 1853Myrophis Lütken, 1852Neenchelys Bamber, 1915Pseudomyrophis Wade, 1946Pylorobranchus McCosker & H.-M. Chen, 2012 Schismorhynchus McCosker, 1970Schultzidia Gosline, 1951Scolecenchelys Ogilby, 1897Skythrenchelys Castle & McCosker, 1999Sympenchelys Hibino, H. C. Ho & Kimura, 2015

Characteristics

Myrophinae, the worm eels, are characterised by having construicted gill openings which are located in the mid flank benhind the head. They have obvious caudal fin raysand these are joined to the anal and dorsal fins. The tip of the tail is flexible, a pectoral fins may be present or they may be absent. The colouration is uniform, although they are often darker on the back.