Muraenidae

Fricke, Ronald, Allen, Gerald R., Andréfouët, Serge, Chen, Wei-Jen, Hamel, Mélanie A., Laboute, Pierre, Mana, Ralph, Hui, Tan Heok & Uyeno, Daisuke, 2014, Checklist of the marine and estuarine fishes of Madang District, Papua New Guinea, western Pacific Ocean, with 820 new records, Zootaxa 3832 (1), pp. 1-247 : 17-21

Muraenidae

Echidna nebulosa (Ahl, 1789) —Snowflake moray

STATUS AT MADANG. First record from Madang by Herre (1933: 12). SU material. DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Red Sea, East and South Africa east to Panama, north to Ryukyu and Ogasawara islands, Johnston Atoll and Hawaiian Islands, south to Western Australia at 22°42'S and New Caledonia. Found on the reef flat and in coral reefs, often resting during the day under pieces of dead coral, 0– 48 m. Marine.

Echidna polyzona (Richardson, 1845) —Barred moray

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on CAS and WAM material (CAS 65766; WAM P.29624-020).

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. East Africa east to Marshall and Tuamotu islands, north to Philippines. Cryptic in coral reefs, 2– 20 m. Marine.

Echidna unicolor Schultz in Schultz, Herald, Lachner, Welander & Woods, 1953 —Unicolour moray STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on specimens collected by W.-J. Chen, St. PR 221. CAS material (CAS 66088).

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. East Africa east to Marshall and Tuamotu islands, north to Philippines, south to northern Australia and New Caledonia. Found in shallow lagoon reefs and on seaward reef slopes, 1– 25 m. Marine.

Enchelycore bayeri (Schultz in Schultz, Herald, Lachner, Welander & Woods, 1953) —Bayer's moray STATUS AT MADANG. First record from Madang by Kailola (1987a: 43). CAS material.

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Maldives and Chagos Archipelago east to Line and Society islands, north to Taiwan, south to Queensland ( Australia). Found in crevices of coral reefs, 0– 64 m. Marine.

Enchelycore schismatorhynchus (Bleeker, 1853) —Bentjaw moray

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on ANSP material (ANSP 138535). DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Chagos Archipelago east to Society Islands, north to Ryukyu Islands, south to Papua New Guinea. Cryptic in lagoon and seaward reefs, 5– 35 m. Marine.

Gymnothorax buroensis (Richardson, 1845) —Latticetail moray

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on ANSP and WAM material (ANSP 131283, 138578; WAM P.30619-023).

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Red Sea and East Africa east to Panama, north to Ryukyu and Ogasawara islands, south to northern Australia. Cryptic on lagoon and seaward reef slopes, 1– 24 m. Marine.

Gymnothorax castlei Böhlke & Randall, 1999 —Castle's moray

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on WAM material (WAM P.31213-036). DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Indonesia east to Philippines, south to Queensland ( Australia). Cryptic in coral reefs, 6– 21 m. Marine.

Gymnothorax chilospilus Bleeker, 1864 —Whitelip moray

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on CAS material (CAS 65767). DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. East Africa east to Line and Society islands, north to Ryukyu and Ogasawara islands, south to northern Australia. Cryptic in lagoons and on seaward reef slopes, 1– 45 m. Marine.

Gymnothorax enigmaticus McCosker & Randall, 1982 —Enigmatic moray STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on a specimen collected by W.-J. Chen, St. PB 53. CAS material (CAS 65778).

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. South Africa, Maldives and Chagos Archipelago east to Line Islands and Samoa. Found in shallow coral reefs, 1– 15 m. Marine.

Gymnothorax fimbriatus (Bennett, 1832) —Fimbriated moray

STATUS AT MADANG. First record from Madang by Allen & Erdmann (2012: 84). Specimens and collected at St. CTR 29; another photographed by A. Berberian. NTUM and WAM material.

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Madagascar, Seychelles and Mascarenes east to Mariana, Marquesas and Tuamotu islands, north to Ryukyu and Ogasawara islands, south to Western Australia at 20°30'S, southern Queensland ( Australia) and New Caledonia. Found on coral reef flats and seaward reefs, prefers protected inshore waters among dead corals, young specimens also in tidal pools, 0– 45 m. Marine.

Gymnothorax flavimarginatus (Rüppell, 1830) —Yellow-edged moray

STATUS AT MADANG. First record from Madang by Allen & Erdmann (2012: 85). WAM material. DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Red Sea, East Africa and Transkei ( South Africa) east to Panama, north to Ryukyu, Ogasawara and Hawaiian islands, south to northern Australia at 24°49'S and New Caledonia. Found in crevices of inshore and seaward coral and rocky reefs; young specimens in tidal pools, 0– 150 m. Marine.

Gymnothorax gracilicauda Jenkins, 1903 —Slendertail moray

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on ANSP material (ANSP 131414). DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Caroline Islands east to Hawaian Islands and Pitcairn Group, south to Queensland ( Australia) and Loyalty Islands ( New Caledonia); possibly Cocos Island (eastern Pacific). Cryptic in coral reefs, 6– 20 m. Marine.

Gymnothorax javanicus (Bleeker, 1859) —Giant moray

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on specimens observed and photographed at St. CTR 12, CTR 14, CTR 16, PR 105. ANSP material (ANSP 126249).

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Red Sea, East Africa and Mozambique Channel east to Hawaiian Islands, Pitcairn Group and Cocos Island, north to Ryukyu and Ogasawara islands, south to Western Australia and New Caledonia. Found in crevices of lagoon and seaward reefs; juveniles on the intertidal reef flat, 0– 50 m. Marine.

Gymnothorax kontodontos Böhlke, 2000 —Short-tooth moray

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on specimens photographed by A. Berberian. DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Comores and Chagos Archipelago east to Johnston and Line islands, south to Coral Sea. Found in coral reefs, 10– 20 m. Marine.

Gymnothorax margaritophorus Bleeker, 1864 —Pearly moray

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on CAS and WAM material (CAS 65762, 65764, 65765; WAM P.30619-024).

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. East and South Africa, Madagascar and Mascarenes east to Johnston and Line islands, north to Ryukyu Islands, south to northern Australia. Cryptic in coral reefs, 1– 25 m. Marine.

Gymnothorax melatremus Schultz in Schultz, Herald, Lachner, Welander & Woods, 1953 —Dwarf moray STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on specimens observed and photographed at St. CTR 28, CTR 31. CAS, ROM and WAM material (CAS 65760, 65761, 65763; ROM 66897; WAM P.30624-008). DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. East Africa east to Hawaiian and Pitcairn islands, north to Ryukyu and Ogasawara islands, south to northern Australia. Found in crevices of coral reefs, 1– 58 m. Marine.

Gymnothorax microstictus Böhlke, 2000 —Smallspot moray

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on WAM material (WAM P.31213-037). DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Central Indonesia east to Philippines and New Guinea, south to Vanuatu. Cryptic in coral reefs, 5– 30 m. Marine.

Gymnothorax monochrous (Bleeker, 1856) —Brown moray

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on BPBM material (BPBM 15812). DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. East Africa east to Philippines and New Guinea, south to New Caledonia. Cryptic in sheltered coral reefs, including mangrove habitats, 1– 20 m. Transitional water and marine.

Gymnothorax phasmatodes (Smith, 1962) —Ghost moray

STATUS AT MADANG. First record from Madang by Böhlke (1997b: 99). BPBM material. DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. East Africa and Oman east to Philippines and Papua New Guinea, south to Queensland ( Australia). Found in shallow waters, often in tidal pools, 0– 10 m. Marine.

Gymnothorax pictus (Ahl, 1789) —Peppered moray

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on specimens observed at St. CTR 25. AMS and WAM material (AMS I.16671-044; WAM P.29624-082).

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Central Red Sea, East Africa and KwaZulu-Natal ( South Africa) east to Panama, north to Ryukyu Islands and Minami Tori Shima, south to northern Australia to 23°30'S and New Caledonia. Found on shallow reef flats, under rocks or in reef crevices, 0– 100 m. Marine.

Gymnothorax pindae Smith, 1962 —Pinda moray

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on ANSP and WAM material (ANSP 131413; WAM P.30633-020).

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. East Africa east to Hawaiian and Pitcairn islands, north to Ryukyu Islands, south to Queensland ( Australia). Cryptic in coral reefs, 1– 43 m. Marine.

Gymnothorax polyuranodon (Bleeker, 1853) —Freshwater moray

STATUS AT MADANG. First record from Madang by Kailola (1975: 19). KFRS material. DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Sri Lanka east to Palau and Fiji, north to Philippines, south to northern Australia and New Caledonia, 0– 10 m. Freshwater, transitional water and marine.

Gymnothorax reevesii (Richardson, 1845) —Reeves' moray

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on specimens photographed at St. CTR 17. DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Indonesia east to Marquesas Islands and Samoa, north to southern Japan. Found on coral and rocky reefs, 3– 55 m. Marine.

Gymnothorax richardsonii (Bleeker, 1852) —Richardson's moray

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on ANSP and WAM material (ANSP 138719; WAM P.29595-013).

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. East Africa east to Mariana and Society islands, north to Ryukyu Islands, south to New Caledonia. Found on shallow reef flats and in estuaries, 1– 12 m. Transitional water and marine.

Gymnothorax robinsi Böhlke, 1997 —Robins' moray

STATUS AT MADANG. Reported from Madang in original description by Böhlke (1997a: 649). ANSP material. DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Seychelles, Maldives; Indonesia to Philippines and Papua New Guinea. Found in mixed coral, sand and seagrass habitats, 5– 35 m. Marine.

Gymnothorax rueppellii (McClelland, 1844) —Banded moray, yellow-headed moray STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on a specimen collected at St. CTR 17; photographed by Tan H. H. at St. PR 42 on 15 Nov. 2012, and A. Berberian. ANSP and MNHN material (ANSP 117482; MNHN uncat.).

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Red Sea, East Africa (south to Mozambique) and Mascarenes east to Hawaiian Islands, north to Ryukyu Islands, south to Western Australia and Loyalty Islands. Found in crevices of coral reefs, 0– 40 m. Marine.

Gymnothorax tile (Hamilton, 1822) —Indian mud moray

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on a specimen collected by W.-J. Chen, St. PR 221. NTUM material (NTUM 10221).

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. India east to Philippines and New Guinea. Found in muddy estuaries, inshore reef habitats, entering rivers and streams, 1– 10 m. Freshwater, transitional water and marine.

Gymnothorax zonipectis Seale, 1906 —Bar-tailed moray

STATUS AT MADANG. First record from Madang as Lycodontis zonipectis by Kailola (1987a: 45). A specimen collected at St. CTR 17; another collected by W.-J. Chen, St. PB 33. ANSP, MNHN, NTUM, SMF and WAM material.

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. East and South Africa east to Society and Marquesas islands, north to Philippines, south to northern Australia at 15°50'S. Found in crevices of coral reefs, 1– 40 m. Marine.

Monopenchelys acuta (Parr, 1930) —Redface moray

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on a specimen collected by W.-J. Chen, St. PD 32. DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Scattered localities in western Atlantic and Indo-West Pacific, east to Hawaiian Islands and Fiji. Found in coral and rocky reef habitats, 13– 45 m. Freshwater, transitional water and marine.

Pseudechidna brummeri (Bleeker, 1858) —White ribbon eel

STATUS AT MADANG. First record from Madang by Kailola (1987a: 45).

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. East Africa to Cook Islands, north to Ryukyu Islands. Found on sand or coral rubble bottoms in shallow coastal reefs, 1– 8 m. Marine.

Rhinomuraena quaesita Garman, 1888 —Ribbon moray

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on specimens photographed by W.-J. Chen, St. PR 221. DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Madagascar east to Marshall and Tuamotu islands, north to Ryukyu Islands, south to Queensland ( Australia). Found in sand burrows of coastal, lagoon and seaward reefs, 1– 67 m. Transitional water and marine.

Strophidon sathete (Hamilton, 1822) —Giant estuarine moray

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang; previously reported as Thyrsoidea macrura by Kailola (1987a: 45). AMS material (AMS I.16668-012, I.16670-004).

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Red Sea, East and South Africa east to Mariana and Society islands, north to southern Japan, south to northern Australia and New Caledonia. Found on mud bottoms, living in burrows, 1– 15 m. Freshwater, transitional water and marine.

Uropterygius concolor Rüppell, 1838 —Brown snakemoray

STATUS AT MADANG. First record from Madang by Kailola (1975: 21). Specimens collected at St. PB 0 7, and by W.-J. Chen, St. PR 221. KFRS, NTUM, SMF and WAM material.

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Red Sea and East Africa east to Line and Society islands, north to Ryukyu Islands, south to northern Australia. Found on shallow reefs and in mangrove habitats, 1– 10 m. Transitional water and marine.

Uropterygius fasciolatus (Regan, 1909) —Blotched moray, banded snakemoray STATUS AT MADANG. First record from Madang in original description of Uropterygius goslinei by McCosker & Randall (1977: 167); record confirmed by Allen & Erdmann (2012: 97); a specimen collected by W.-J. Chen, St. PR 221. ANSP and NTUM material.

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Indonesia east to Palau and Phoenix Islands, south to Solomon Islands, 0– 10 m. Marine.

Uropterygius kamar McCosker & Randall, 1977 —Moon snakemoray

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on WAM material (WAM P.31213-051). DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. East Africa east to Marshall and Pitcairn islands, south to Solomon Islands. Found on rubble bottoms near coral reefs, 3– 55 m. Marine.

Uropterygius nagoensis Hatooka, 1984 —Nago snakemoray

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on CAS material (CAS 66103, 66104, 66105). DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Red Sea; Ryukyu Islands; Papua New Guinea east to Society Islands, south to Queensland ( Australia). Cryptic in caves and crevices of coral reefs, 10– 30 m. Marine.

Uropterygius xanthopterus McCosker & Randall, 1977 —Yellowfin snakemoray

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on WAM material (WAM P.30621-019). DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Maldives and Chagos Archipelago east to Marshall and Tuamotu islands, south to Solomon Islands. Lagoon and seaward coral reefs, 2– 56 m. Marine.