Green Moray Eel

By Anonymous -

Green Moray Eel

Taylor Marshall, Ali Bland  




Life History
The green moray, Gymnothorax funebris, are oviparous and their eggs are about 1mm- 4 mm in diameter. Once they hatch they are in the prolarvae stage, and are like this for a short period of time. Their larvae are called leptocephali. They look like transparent ribbons, and are about 5-10 cm long. In this stage green moray float around with plankton while developing. When they are in the larva stage form pectoral fins, which they do not keep when evolving into adulthood. They are absorbed once they form into juveniles. Unfortunately, not much is known about the green moray leptocephalus larvae. Although, other moray larvae have been distinguished by their pigments, position of dorsal fin/anus and their muscles. The juveniles will develop in the open ocean until they find a permanent habitat for them to live. This is where they fully mature into adulthood. It takes about 2.5 years for the eel to mature into an adult. They live for 10-30 years.
Description and Behavior 


Green morays are usually 1.8-2.5 meters longs and can be up to 29 kg, although they are typically around 13.3 kg. Their coloring is used as camouflage to hide from their prey. Typically they eat octopuses, crabs, squids, fish and other eels. To find their prey they use their sense of smell, because their eyesight is poor. When prey is caught, the Eel wraps its body around it until it is flat enough to swallow, much the a boa would do to its prey. They will stay still and wait for their pray to pass by, instead of actively hunting it. They are usually found in reefs, rocky shorelines, and mangroves hiding in caves or rock crevasses on the ocean floor. These eels can be found most commonly in Bermuda, north of Brazil in the Gulf of Mexico, by New Jersey in the USA, and the eastern Pacific and Atlantic oceans. The green moray is fairly common and has few predators, so conservationists are not concerned about them. They can be found at depths ranging from 1 meter to 30 meters. Green morays are territorial and defend their habitats from other eels. For respiration they open and close their mouths and push water past their gills. This mechanism is known as a 2-stroke buccal pump. These eels have big, strong, pointed teeth that can vary in numbers correlated with age. Their teeth are also pointed backwards so their prey cannot escape without flesh being torn. Morays also very long dorsal fin that stretches from its head to its short tail fin, and lack a pelvic and pectoral fin, unlike some of their relatives. The green moray secrets yellow mucous to protect its brown skin from bacterial and parasitic infections. Predators of the moray are few but sharks and larger organisms would be a start. 
Reproduction 


The green moray has a unique reproductive cycle, as they are oviparous, meaning that they lay eggs to be hatched outside of the body. Although it does not have a specific mating season, green morays have a better chance of successful reproduction in warmer waters. When a female is ready to lay her eggs, she will find a place that is both safe and accessible. Once the eggs are deposited, the female will release and odor, signaling a male that the eggs must be fertilized. The male will deposit his sperm allowing the eggs to begin development. A fully developed egg will be about 1mm around, and can grow up to 6 ft long. The spawn usually take about 30-45 days to hatch, however if the water becomes warmer, the spawn will develop and hatch at a faster pace. Many of the spawn will be preyed on soon after birth, however it will usually take the survivors about three years to begin the mating process again. 

Works Cited
  • Green Moray Eel . 11 Feb 2016 <http://www.aqua.org/explore/animals/green-moray-eel>.
  • Green Moray Eels. 11 Feb 2016 <http://marinebio.org/species.asp?id=106>.
  • Gymnothorax funebris . 11 Feb 2016 <http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/discover/species-profiles/gymnothorax-funebris>.
  • Gymnothorax funebris Morena verde. 11 Feb 2016` <http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Gymnothorax_funebris/>.
  • Moray Eel. 11 Feb 2016 <http://www.bioexpedition.com/moray-eel/>.
  • Moray Eel Facts. 11 Feb 2016 <http://www.softschools.com/facts/animals/moray_eel_facts/83/>.



Pictures 
  • http://animals-and-creatures-that-lived-in-prehistory.wikia.com/wiki/Green_Moray_Eel_Gymnothorax_funebris
  • www.gooddive.com
  • http://ocean.si.edu/blog/uncovering-biodiversity-it-disappears



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