OLFACTION AND VISUAL DETECTION OF FOOD AND RELEVANT MORPHOMETRIC CHARACTERS IN SOME SPECIES OF MORAY EELS (MURAENIDAE)

ABSTRACT

Studies on moray eels (Muraenidae) in the Gulf of Aqaba have shown that species of the genera Siderea and Echidna dwell mainly in shallow, subtidal sandy habitats, whereas species of Gymnothorax and Lycodontis are frequently found in deeper, rocky or coral reef dwellings. Experiments with food items showed that species of the first group are macrosmatic, detecting their prey by olfaction, whereas the second group are microsmatic, hunting primarily by vision. These two foraging types were also found to differ in ratios of mouth length and eye diameter to total body length and of longest-tooth length to mouth length. The macrosmatic morays have smaller eyes, and shorter mouths and teeth. These differences probably reflect partitioning of habitat and food niches among the various moray eel species.