Biology
provided by Arkive
The Anguila ciega builds mucus-lined burrows in organic rich sediments within the freshwater part of the aquifer. This species is able to tolerate low oxygen concentration levels and can even breathe atmospheric oxygen. The diet is thought to primarily comprise stygobitic shrimp (Creaseria morleyi), and reproduction is reportedly oviparous, or egg-laying (2).
Conservation
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There are currently no conservation measures targeting this species.
Description
provided by Arkive
Like many cave-dwelling species, the Anguila ciega, otherwise known as the blind swamp eel, has lost its eyes and pigmentation, which are of no use in the dark depths of a cave (3). Instead, this fish has a large number of sensitive pores on its long, bulb-shaped head to detect environmental stimuli (2) (3). This is a very elongate fish with an exceptionally long tail, giving it a somewhat worm-like appearance (2).
Habitat
provided by Arkive
Found in freshwater limestone caves and sinkholes (2).
Range
provided by Arkive
Occurs in central and northern Yucatan peninsula, Mexico (4).
Status
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Classified as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List 2006 (1).
Threats
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The main threats to this species are various forms of water pollution caused by humans. In rural areas sewage is rarely treated before being discarded, and industrial and domestic waste is sometimes disposed of in caves. Another threat comes from over-harvesting of freshwater, which may lead to saline waters creeping into the normally freshwater zone. The human population of the Yucatan peninsula is growing, so a greater and greater strain on water resources can be expected in the future. Another potential threat is the modification and/or the intensive use of this fish's habitat by humans for recreational or tourism purposes (2).
Life Cycle
provided by Fishbase
The male guards and builds nest or burrow (Ref. 205).
Biology
provided by Fishbase
Adults inhabit cave systems (Ref. 27297). The male guards and builds nest or burrow (Ref. 205).
Importance
provided by Fishbase
fisheries: of no interest
Blind swamp eel
provided by wikipedia EN
The blind swamp eel (Ophisternon infernale) is a species of fish in the family Synbranchidae. It is endemic to Mexico where it lives in cave systems and is known in Spanish as the anguila ciega. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated this cavefish as "endangered".[1]
Taxonomy
The blind swamp eel was first described by the American ichthyologist Carl Leavitt Hubbs in 1938, the holotype having been collected two years earlier by A.S.Pearse. Hubbs named the fish Pluto infernalis because he liked to associate creatures living underground with the devil, who supposedly dwelt underground, and gave diabolical names to cave fishes; infernale comes from the Latin for Hell.[3] The fish was later transferred to the genus Ophisternon, the swamp eels. The genus name is derived from the Greek, "ophis", meaning a serpent, and "sternon", meaning chest.[2] Synonyms for this species include Furmastix infernalis and Synbranchus infernalis.[3]
Description
The blind swamp eel is an elongated, wormlike fish with no pigment, no scales and no visible eyes. It seems likely that it is derived from the marbled swamp eel (Synbranchus marmoratus) and became adapted for life underground.[3] It grows to a standard length of 32.5 cm (13 in) and the bulbous head bears numerous sensory pores.[4]
Distribution
The blind swamp eel is endemic to the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico where it inhabits freshwater in sinkholes and limestone caves. It lives in shallow water in the muddy substrate or under stones. It has only been found in 7% of the caves investigated, and where it is found, it coexists with the Mexican blind brotula (Typhliasina pearsei), and often with the catfish Rhamdia guatemalensis.[4]
Ecology
The blind swamp eel feeds on the faeces of bats and swallows and on shrimps. The male swamp eel excavates a mucus-lined burrow in which the eggs are laid, and the male guards the nest.[2]
Status
The chief threats faced by this swamp eel is from pollution from untreated sewage and waste water which may seep into the aquifer, and from human disturbance. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated this eel as being an "endangered species".[1] This is on the basis that the area occupied by this species is limited in extent, and the number of individuals is thought to have declined drastically over the last ten years, and is likely to continue doing so, due to a decrease in the quantity and quality of suitable habitat.[4]
References
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^ a b c Arroyave, J.; Schmitter-Soto, J.; Vega-Cendejas, M.; Matamoros, W.A. (2019). "Ophisternon infernale". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T15387A717292. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T15387A717292.en. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
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^ a b c Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2019). "Ophisternon infernale" in FishBase. August 2019 version.
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^ a b c Romero, Aldemaro (2013). The biology of hypogean fishes. Springer Science & Business Media. p. 34. ISBN 978-94-015-9795-1.
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^ a b c Proudlove, Graham; Medina, Roger. "Ophisternon infernale (Hubbs, 1938)". Archived from the original on 16 June 2018. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
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Blind swamp eel: Brief Summary
provided by wikipedia EN
The blind swamp eel (Ophisternon infernale) is a species of fish in the family Synbranchidae. It is endemic to Mexico where it lives in cave systems and is known in Spanish as the anguila ciega. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated this cavefish as "endangered".
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- cc-by-sa-3.0
- copyright
- Wikipedia authors and editors
