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Anguilliformes (eel)

Osteichthyes - Anguilliformes

Synonyms
Synonymy list
YearName and author
1804Apodes Latreille
1911Apodes Jaekel p. 91
1963Apodes Jordan p. 629
1966Apodes Casier p. 168
1966Anguilliformes Greenwood et al.
1981Anguilliformes Thurmond and Jones p. 95
1990Anguilliformes Nolf and Dockery III p. 3
1999Anguilliformes Constantin
1999Anguilliformes Weems p. 59
2001Anguilliformes Purdy et al. p. 162
2002Anguilliformes Sepkoski
2003Anguilliformes Forey et al. p. 228
2006Anguilliformes Nelson
2007Anguilliformes Carnevale p. 8
2011Anguilliformes Long p. 242
2012Anguilliformes Fierstine et al. p. 13
2013Anguilliformes Betancur et al.
2014Anguilliformes Bannikov p. 25
2014Anguilliformes Fourriére et al. p. 380
2016Anguilliformes Nelson et al. p. 139
2019Anguilliformes van der Laan p. 61
2025Anguilliformes Cicimurri et al. p. 78

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RankNameAuthor
kingdomAnimalia()
—Bilateria
—EubilateriaAx 1987
—Deuterostomia
phylumChordataHaeckel 1874
subphylumVertebrata
superclassGnathostomata
classOsteichthyes
RankNameAuthor
subclassActinopterygii()
infraclassActinopteri()
—Teleosteomorpha
—Teleostei(Müller 1846)
—Elopomorpha()
orderAnguilliformesGreenwood et al. 1966
orderAnguilliformesGreenwood et al. 1966

If no rank is listed, the taxon is considered an unranked clade in modern classifications. Ranks may be repeated or presented in the wrong order because authors working on different parts of the classification may disagree about how to rank taxa.

Or. Anguilliformes Greenwood et al. 1966 [eel]
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G. †Abisaadia Belouze et al. 2003
+
†Abisaadia hakelensis Davis 1887
Fm. †Anguillavidae Hay 1903
+
G. †Anguillavus Hay 1903
+
†Anguillavus mazeni Belouze et al. 2003
+
Invalid names: Anguillavus bathshebae Hay 1903 [synonym]
G. †Mylomyrus Woodward 1910
+
†Mylomyrus frangens Woodward 1910
Invalid names: Encheliidae Hay 1903 [synonym], Mylomyridae Berg 1940 [synonym]
Fm. Anguillidae Rafinesque 1810
+
G. Anguilla Schrank 1798
+
†Anguilla brevicula Agassiz 1839
†Anguilla latispina Agassiz 1839
†Anguilla multiradiata Agassiz 1843
†Anguilla pachyura Agassiz 1843
†Anguilla rectangularis Stinton and Nolf 1970
†Anguilla ventralis Agassiz 1839
G. †Eoanguilla Blot 1978
+
†Eoanguilla leptoptera Agassiz 1835
+
+
G. Heterenchelys Regan 1912
G. Panturichthys Pellegrin 1913
+
†Panturichthys grenfelli Schwarzhans 2019
G. Pythonichthys Poey 1868
+
†Pythonichthys panulus Schwarzhans and Nielsen 2021
+
G. †Anguilloides Cadrobbi 1962
+
G. †Veronanguilla Blot 1978
+
†Veronanguilla ruffoi Blot 1978
G. †Bolcanguilla Blot 1981
+
G. †Brannerion Jordan 1920
G. †Casierius Estes 1969
+
Fm. †Chlopsidae
+
G. †Whitapodus Blot 1981
+
†Whitapodus breviculus Agassiz 1835
G. Congermuraena Kaup 1856
+
†Congermuraena amoris Sulc 1932
†Congermuraena panatelli Bassoli 1906
Fm. Congridae Kaup 1856 [conger eel]
+
G. Ariosoma Swainson 1838
+
Ariosoma balearica Delaroche 1809
Ariosoma globosum Steurbaut 1984
†Ariosoma moravica Sulc 1932
+
G. †Parbatmya Frizzell and Dante 1965
+
Parbatmya brazosensis Frizzell and Dante 1965
G. †Astroconger Jordan and Hubbs 1925
+
†Astroconger rostratus Stinton 1957
G. Bassanago Whitley 1948
G. †Bathycongrus Ogilby 1898
+
†Bathycongrus circularis Casier 1966
†Bathycongrus mysticus Frost 1934
†Bathycongrus waihaoensis Schwarzhans 2019
+
G. †Protanago Schwarzhans et al. 2024
+
†Protanago nonsector Nolf and Stringer 2003
†Protanago sector Koken 1888
G. Blachea Karrer and Smith 1980
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Blachea semeniformis Schwarzhans 2019
G. †Bolcyrus Blot 1978
+
†Bolcyrus bajai Blot 1978
†Bolcyrus formosissimus Eastman 1905
G. †Chiloconger Meyers and Wade 1941
+
†Chiloconger aflorens Lin and O’Dea 2025
†Chiloconger chilensis Schwarzhans and Nielsen 2021
G. Conger Schaeffer 1760
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†Conger acutus Stinton 1957
†Conger biaculeatus Lin et al. 2024
†Conger davidsmithi Schwarzhans 2019
†Conger dissimilis Frizzell and Lamber 1962
†Conger fornicatus Frizzell and Lamber 1962
†Conger glaber Brzobohaty 1967
†Conger illaesus Schwarzhans 2003
†Conger oceanicus Mitchill 1818
Conger tokoroa Schwarzhans 2019
†Conger vetustus Frizzell and Lamber 1962
G. †Congridarum Kaup 1856
+
†Congridarum brevisulcus Schwarzhans 1980
†Congridarum carinatus Frost 1934
†Congridarum grantmackiei Grenfell 1984
†Congridarum obrutus Stinton 1957
†Congridarum occidentalis Weiler 1959
†Congridarum thevenini Priem 1906
†Congridarum websteri Frost 1933
G. Gnathophis Kaup 1860
+
†Gnathophis araroa Schwarzhans 2019
†Gnathophis flemingi Schwarzhans 1980
Gnathophis habenatus Richardson 1848
†Gnathophis incognitus Castle 1963
†Gnathophis meridies Frizzell and Lamber 1962
†Gnathophis ornatus Frost 1928
†Gnathophis quinzioi Schwarzhans and Nielsen 2021
†Gnathophis saubriguensis Steurbaut 1979
G. †Gorgasia Meek and Hildebrand 1923 [garden eel]
G. †Heteroconger Bleeker 1868 [garden eel]
+
†Heteroconger astroblematicus Schwarzhans and Bratischko 2011
†Heteroconger mataura Schwarzhans et al. 2017
+
G. Taenioconger Herre 1923
G. †Maxwelliella Schwarzhans 1980
+
†Maxwelliella urbana Schwarzhans 1980
G. Mystriophis Kaup 1856
G. †Notoconger Schwarzhans 2019
+
†Notoconger devexus Schwarzhans 2019
†Notoconger hesperis Schwarzhans 2019
G. Paraconger Kanazawa 1961
+
Paraconger guianensis Kanazawa 1961
†Paraconger sauvagei Priem 1906
†Paraconger wechesensis Lin and Nolf 2022
G. †Paracongroides Blot 1978
+
G. †Promyllantor Alcock 1890
+
†Promyllantor guttulus Stinton 1975
G. Pseudophichthys Roule 1915
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†Pseudophichthys acer Schwarzhans 1985
†Pseudophichthys texanus Lin and Nolf 2022
G. Pseudoxenomystax Breder 1927
+
G. Rhechias Jordan 1922
+
†Rhechias angulosus Schwarzhans 2003
Rhechias armiger Jordan 1922
G. Rhynchoconger Jordan and Hobbs 1925
+
†Rhynchoconger aftonensis Stinton 1975
†Rhynchoconger casieri Bauza Rullan 1955
†Rhynchoconger chiloensis Schwarzhans and Nielsen 2021
Rhynchoconger ectenurus Jordan and Richardson 1909
†Rhynchoconger ellipticus Weiler 1958
†Rhynchoconger eocenicus Shepherd 1916
Rhynchoconger flavus Goode and Bean 1896
†Rhynchoconger otaianus Schwarzhans 2019
Rhynchoconger pantanellii Bassoli and Schubert 1906
†Rhynchoconger placidus Schwarzhans et al. 2017
†Rhynchoconger regularis Stinton 1957
†Rhynchoconger sanctus Frizzell and Lamber 1962
†Rhynchoconger subtilis Schwarzhans et al. 2017
†Rhynchoconger weileri Jonet 1973
Invalid names: Hildebrandia Jordan and Evermann 1927 [synonym]
G. Scalanago Whiteley 1935
+
†Scalanago extatus Schwarzhans 1985
G. †Tonganago Schwarzhans et al. 2017
+
†Tonganago coplandi Schwarzhans et al. 2017
†Tonganago fastigatus Schwarzhans 1980
†Tonganago obliquum Stinton 1957
†Tonganago sagittisulcatus Schwarzhans 1980
†Tonganago wharenga Schwarzhans 2019
G. Uroconger Kaup 1856
+
†Uroconger eocaenicus Sulc 1932
†Uroconger rectus Frost 1928
†Uroconger validus Casier 1966
G. †Voltaconger Blot 1978
+
†Voltaconger latispinus Agassiz 1835
G. †Xenomystax Gilbert 1891
Invalid names: Congrinae [empty]
Superfm. Congroidea
+
+
G. †Serrivomer Gill and Ryder 1883
Subor. Congroidei Regan 1909
+
+
Invalid names: Colocongridae [synonym]
Fm. Nettastomatidae Jordan and Davis 1891
+
G. Nettastoma Rafinesque 1810
+
†Nettastoma obscurus Schwarzhans 1980
Fm. Ophichthidae Günther 1870
+
G. †Asanoa Sytchevskaya and Prokofiev 2004
G. Echelus Rafinesque 1810
+
Echelus myrus Linnaeus 1758
G. †Goslinophis Blot 1981
+
†Goslinophis acuticaudus Agassiz 1835
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G. Ophisurus Lacépède 1800
G. Pisodonophis Kaup 1856
G. †Ophichthus Ahl 1789
+
†Ophichthus mignolo Lin et al. 2017
G. †Parechelus Casier 1967
Invalid names: Asanoinae Sytchevskaya and Prokofiev 2004 [invalid subgroup], Myrophinae [empty], Parechelidae Casier 1967 [synonym]
Invalid names: Cyemidae [empty], Dysommidae [empty], Neenchelyidae [empty], Nettastomidae [empty], Sauromuraenesocidae [empty], Xenocongridae [empty]
Fm. †Derrhiidae Jordan 1925
+
G. †Derrhias Jordan 1925
G. †Eomuraena Casier 1967
G. Eomyrophis Whitley 1950
G. †Gazolapodus Blot 1981
+
G. †Hayenchelys Belouze et al. 2003
+
G. Hoplunnis Kaup 1860
G. Japonoconger Asano 1958
G. Lemkea Kotthaus 1968
G. Leptocephalus Gronow 1763
+
†Leptocephalus gracilis Agassiz 1835
†Leptocephalus medius Agassiz 1835
Leptocephalus monganius Phillipps 1932
Fm. †Libanechelyidae Taverne 2004
+
G. †Libanechelys Taverne 2004
+
†Libanechelys bultyncki Taverne 2004
G. †Luenchelys Belouze et al. 2003
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†Luenchelys minimus Belouze et al. 2003
G. †Micromyrus Casier 1967
+
G. †Milananguilla Blot 1978
+
†Milananguilla lehmani Blot 1978
+
+
G. †Deutschenchelys Prokofiev 2012
+
†Deutschenchelys micklichi Prokofiev 2012
G. Moringua Gray 1831
+
†Moringua fissura Stinton and Nolf 1970
†Moringua waimumuensis Schwarzhans et al. 2017
G. †Muraenanguilla Schwarzhans 2019
+
†Muraenanguilla balegemensis Schwarzhans 2019
†Muraenanguilla lacinata Schwarzhans 2019
+
G. Muraenesox Mclelland 1843
+
†Muraenesox barrytownensis Lin and Nolf 2022
†Muraenesox cybium Casier 1966
†Muraenesox furcatus Schwarzhans 2007
+
G. Anarchias Bloch 1795
G. †Congeris
+
†Congeris brevior Koken 1888
G. Echidna Forster 1788
+
G. †Eomyrus Eastman 1905
+
†Eomyrus ventralis Agassiz 1844
G. Gymnothorax Bloch 1795
+
†Gymnothorax diagonalis Stinton and Nolf 1970
†Gymnothorax mordax Ayres 1859
Gymnothorax octavianus Myers and Wade 1941
G. Muraena Linnaeus 1758
+
Muraena conger Linnaeus 1758 [European conger]
†Muraena saheliensis Arambourg 1927
G. †Otolithus Koken 1884
+
Subg. Otolithus (Labrax) Pallas 1810
+
†Labrax lepidotus Agassiz 1836
†Labrax major Agassiz 1834
†Labrax schizurus Agassiz 1835
†Labrax vogdtii Bogatshov 1942
Subg. †Otolithus (Platessa) Bassoli 1906
+
†Platessa sector Koken 1888
Subg. †Otolithus (Platessae) Koken 1888
Invalid names: Heteromyridae [synonym], Muraeninae [empty], Uropterygiinae [empty]
Subor. †Muraenoidei
+
Fm. †Deprandidae Jordan 1924
+
G. †Deprandus Gilbert 1921
+
†Deprandus lestes Jordan and Gilbert 1921
Fm. Myrocongridae Gill 1890
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G. Myroconger Guenther 1879
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G. †Oligonemichthys Ciobanu 1977
+
G. †Palaeomyrus Casier 1967
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G. †Dalpiazella Cadrobbi 1962
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†Dalpiazella brevicauda Cadrobbi 1962
G. †Paranguilla Bleeker 1864
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†Paranguilla tigrina Agassiz 1839
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G. †Patavichthys Blot 1981
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G. †Proserrivomer Arambourg 1967
+
Invalid names: Protanguillidae [empty]
+
G. †Proteomyrus Cadrobbi 1962
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†Proteomyrus ventralis Agassiz 1839
G. †Rhynchocymba Jordan and Hubbs
Subor. Saccopharyngoidei Nelson et al. 2016
+
Invalid names: Cyematidae [empty], Monognathidae [empty]
+
Subfm. Ilyophinae
+
Invalid names: Dysommatinae [synonym]
+
Invalid names: Simenchelyinae [empty], Synaphobranchinae [empty]
Fm. †Urenchelyidae Hay 1903
+
G. †Urenchelys Woodward 1900
+
†Urenchelys abditus Wiley and Stewart 1981
†Urenchelys anglicus Woodward 1900
†Urenchelys avus Woodward 1901
Invalid names: Apodes Latreille 1804 [synonym], Eurypharyngidae [empty], Saccopharyngidae [empty]
Diagnosis
No diagnoses are available
Measurements
No measurements are available
Composition: phosphaticsubp
Environment: marinesubp
Locomotion: actively mobileo
Life habit: nektobenthico
Diet: carnivoreo
Created: 2009-07-20 20:49:55
Modified: 2009-07-20 22:49:55
Source: o = order, subp = subphylum
References: Carroll 1988, Kiessling 2004, Hendy et al. 2009

Age range

Maximum range based only on fossils: base of the Late/Upper Aptian to the top of the Holocene or 119.57000 to 0.00000 Ma
Minimum age of oldest fossil (stem group age): 113.2 Ma

Collections (279 total)

Oldest occurrences

Time interval Ma Country or state Original ID and collection number
Late/Upper Aptian119.57 - 113.2Brazil (Pernambuco) Brannerion sp. (193049 193050 193051 193052)
Early/Lower Albian113.2 - 110.1USA (Texas) Casierius heckelii (27774)
Albian113.2 - 100.5USA (Texas) Casierius heckeli (99144)
Late/Upper Cenomanian100.5 - 93.9Lebanon Anguilla hakelensis (221158) Anguillavus quadripinnis, Abisaadia hakelensis (69118 221079) Anguillavus quadripinnis, Anguillavus mazeni, Hayenchelys germanus (213132) Libanechelys bultyncki (213133) Luenchelys minimus, Anguillavus quadripinnis, Anguillavus mazeni, Hayenchelys germanus, Abisaadia hakelensis (221065) Urenchelys germanus, Anguillavus bathshebae, Enchelion montium (221230) Urenchelys germanus, Anguillavus quadripinnis, Anguillavus bathshebae (221229)
Middle Cenomanian100.5 - 93.9Lebanon Anguillavus quadripinnis (213197) Luenchelys minimus (124426 221947)
Cenomanian - Turonian100.5 - 89.8United Kingdom (England) Urenchelys anglicus (238510)
Early/Lower Turonian - Middle Turonian93.9 - 89.8United Kingdom (England) Urenchelys anglicus (222452 222453)
Coniacian - Santonian89.8 - 83.6Italy (Gorizia) Anguilliformes indet. (103811 116133)
Santonian85.7 - 83.6USA (Kansas) Urenchelys abditus (94652)
Campanian83.6 - 72.2Italy Anguilliformes indet. (35332)
Early/Lower Campanian83.6 - 72.2Germany Urenchelys sp. (241722)
Maastrichtian72.2 - 66.0USA (Maryland) Anguilloidei indet. (127085)
Danian66.0 - 61.66Mexico (Chiapas) Anguilliformes indet. (190738)
Tertiary66.0 - 2.58USA (Mississippi) Otolithus americanus, Otolithus hospes, Otolithus elegantus, Otolithus insuetus, Otolithus similis, Otolithus laevigatus, Otolithus cor, Otolithus comes, Otolithus glaber, Otolithus brevior, Otolithus sector (163732)
Selandian61.66 - 59.24USA (Alabama) Rhynchoconger sp., Congridarum sp. (87817)
Selandian61.66 - 59.24Denmark Conger illaesus, Rhechias angulosus (159792 159793) Rhechias angulosus (159794 159795)
Selandian - Thanetian61.66 - 56.0Ukraine Heteroconger astroblematicus (159509)
Wasatchian56.0 - 51.1USA (Virginia) Voltaconger latispinus, Bolcyrus formosissimus (15595)
Waipawan - Mangaorapan56.0 - 48.9New Zealand (South Island) Muraenanguilla lacinata, Conger davidsmithi, Rhynchoconger otaianus, Tonganago wharenga (219497)
Early/Lower Eocene56.0 - 48.07USA (Mississippi) Conger meridies (62890)