REDESCRIPTION AND NEW RECORDS OF A RARE MORAY EEL, ECHIDNA-XANTHOSPILOS (BLEEKER, 1859) (ANGUILLIFORMES, MURAENIDAE)

Bleeker described 2 specimens of a beautiful moray eel, Muraena xantho spilos, in 1859. The species has subsequently been reported only 3 tim es (once as Poecilophis ornata Kaup, a junior synonym) until now. In t his study, we redescribe the species based on Bleaker's syntypes, one of the previously recorded specimens, and 3 additional recently collec ted specimens. A lectotype is designated; the variations of spots, the dentition and the body length formulas of different growing stages ar e described; and photographs of a fresh specimen are provided for the first time. Echidna xanthospilos differs from other species of Echidna in its shorter tail, smaller number of vertebrae, and distinctive col oration.