• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.46-60
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• 2011

A taxonomic review of 6 genera and 10 species in the family Ophichthidae was carried out based on specimens from the adjacent waters of Korea. The number of vertebrae distinguished the species of each genus: Ophisurus macrorhynchos (201~209), Ophichthus rotundus (178~183), Pisodonophis zophistius (179~182), P. cancrivorus (153~164), Echelus uropterus (152~158), Muraenichthys gymnopterus (155~156), Ophichthus evermanni (150~154), Brachysomophis porphyreus (137~148), Ophichthus urolophus (135~138), Ophichthus asakusae (124~134). Snout length in head length distinguished the 6 genera: Ophisurus (27.2~31.2), Echelus (18.0~27.7), Ophichthus (12.3~21.5), Pisodonophis (16.5~20.8), Muraenichthys (11.4~11.9), Brachysomophis (9.1~9.4). A key to the 6 genera and 10 species of the family Ophichthidae from the adjacent waters of Korea is provided.