Eel fish : Systematic position , Identifying Character

Eel fish

Systematic position Of Eel Fish ( Anguilla bengalensis ):

Phylum – Chordata

Subphylum – Vertebrata

Super Class – Gnathostomata

Class – Osteichthyes
Super order – Elopomorpha

Order – Anguilliformes

Family – Anguillidae

Genus – Anguilla

Species – bengalensis

Identifying Character Of  EelFish:

• All members possess either in adult or larval stage a notochord, which forms the axial skeleton of the body
• Pharyngeal gill slits are present in all members

Hence, Phylum Of  Eel Fish – Chordata

·         Notochord is replaced by vertebral column

·         Brain is wEel developed with brain box or cranium

·         Gills are present as primary respiratory organ

Hence, Subphylum Of  Eel Fish – Vertebrata

• Mouth bounded with jaws

Hence, Super class Of  Eel Fish - Gnathostomata

• Endoskeleton is bony
• Skin is provided with mucous gland
• Scales are ganoids, ctenoid, cycloid, types, some are scale less
• Paired fins are provided with fin rays, which may be cartilaginous or bony
• Gill arches are bony
• Gill Chambers are covered by bony operculum

Hence, Class Of  Eel Fish – Osteichthyes

• Gular plate present in non eel like representatives.
• Branchiostegals usually numerous.

Hence, Super order Of  Eel Fish - Elopomorpha

• Body ill like, smooth, with minute or rudimentary scales, imbedded in the skin or absent
• Gill opening in the pharynx as narrow or wide slits
• Pelvic fins are absent

Hence, Order Of  Eel Fish – Anguilliformes

·         Gill openings situated in the pharynx in the form of moderate slits near the base of pectoral fins.

·         Nostrils lateral or superior

Hence, Family Of  Eel Fish – Anguillidae

• Body elongated, cylindrical, band-shaped, Abdomen rounded, Head long and compressed, Snout pointed.
• Mouth terminal, cleft of mouth wide, extending to the posterior margin of the orbit
• Eyes are very small, superior, in middle of the head, not visible from the bEelow ventral surface
• Lips are thick and wEel developed
• Jaws are equal
• Caudal fin continued round the end of the tail

Hence, Genus Of  Eel Fish – Anguilla

• Villiform teeth are present in the jaws and palate
• Dorsal fin inserted midway between gill opening and origin of anal fin with 220-305 rays and no spine
• Anal fin long with 200 – 250 rays
• Colouration of adult is variegated

Hence, species – bengalensis

Hence, the provided specimen is Anguilla bengalensis

Distribution - Throughout India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Burma and Malay