What anatomical feature separates the wolf eel, Anarrhichthys ocellatus, from true marine eels like the moray?
Answer
The presence of pectoral fins located just behind the head.
The wolf eel is fundamentally classified as a long, skinny fish rather than a true eel, and a key structural feature confirming this classification is the presence of pectoral fins situated immediately behind the head. True marine eels, such as morays, lack these fins. This characteristic places the wolf eel firmly within the general structure of a fish, despite its elongated morphology. Furthermore, the text notes it belongs to the family Anarhichadidae, the wolffishes, reinforcing its distinction from true eels based on skeletal and fin structure.
Related Questions
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