Uropterygius cyamommatus, a new moray eel (Anguilliformes: Muraenidae) from anchialine caves in Christmas Island, Australia, and Panglao Island, the Philippines.

Uropterygius cyamommatus, new species, is described based on nine specimens from limestone anchialine caves in Christmas Island and Panglao Island. This species is a small-sized, elongated moray eel belonging to the uniform brown-coloured species group of the genus. It differs from all congeners of Uropterygius in having very small eyes (3.0-4.6% of head length), a relatively long tail (56.3-61.1% of total length), and a comparatively large number of vertebrae (total vertebrae 141-149). The new species represents the first-recorded moray eel that inhabits anchialine caves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]