First observation of predation by the Panamic green moray ( <i>Gymnothorax castaneus</i> ) on Russell's oarfish ( <i>Regalecus russelii</i> )

This study documents the first recorded predation of Regalecus russelii by Gymnothorax castaneus on Santa Catalana Island, Mexico. Observed feeding tactics included grasping, shaking, knotting, rotation and a novel muraenid behaviour: intraphagy, entering through the oral cavity to consume the prey from within. This provides the first evidence of nocturnal and amphibious feeding for G. castaneus, and the behaviour of knotting confirms its role as an opportunistic predator and scavenger, expanding knowledge of both species' trophic ecology.

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Publication Details

Journal
Journal of Fish Biology
Published
2026-05-11
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70465
Primary Topic
Marine and fisheries research
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

First observation of predation by the Panamic green moray ( Gymnothorax castaneus ) on Russell's oarfish ( Regalecus russelii )

Rene Villanueva-Maldonado, Armando Hernández-Hernández, Miguel Salazar‐De La Vega, Mario Jaime‐Rivera et al.
Journal of Fish Biology
Marine and fisheries research
article

First observation of predation by the Panamic green moray ( Gymnothorax castaneus ) on Russell's oarfish ( Regalecus russelii )

Rene Villanueva-Maldonado, Armando Hernández-Hernández, Miguel Salazar‐De La Vega, Mario Jaime‐Rivera, Fernanda Raygoza‐Díaz
article en

Abstract

This study documents the first recorded predation of Regalecus russelii by Gymnothorax castaneus on Santa Catalana Island, Mexico. Observed feeding tactics included grasping, shaking, knotting, rotation and a novel muraenid behaviour: intraphagy, entering through the oral cavity to consume the prey from within. This provides the first evidence of nocturnal and amphibious feeding for G. castaneus, and the behaviour of knotting confirms its role as an opportunistic predator and scavenger, expanding knowledge of both species' trophic ecology.

Journal of Fish Biology
Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur (MX), National Institute of Anthropology and History (MX), Instituto Politécnico Nacional (MX)
Life below water
Openalex Percentile: Top 6%
Marine and fisheries research
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