Moray eel - Moray eel (English spelling)

Japanese: ウツボ(鱓) - ウツボ（英語表記）moray eel

Muraenidae is a general term for marine fishes in the family Muraenidae, or refers to one of these species. There are many species, with nearly 40 known to inhabit the waters around Japan, but most of these are found south of the Ryukyu Islands. Their body shape is eel-shaped and slightly laterally compressed. They have a large mouth, with long, sharp canine-like teeth on both the upper and lower jaws. They also have a row of movable teeth on the vomer of the palate. These teeth can be tilted backwards but not forwards, making them convenient for capturing prey. Some species secrete venom from their teeth.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

ウナギ目ウツボ科Muraenidaeに属する海産魚の総称，またはそのうちの1種を指す。種類が多く，日本近海には40種近くが知られているが，その大半は南西諸島以南に分布する。体型はウナギ形で，やや側扁する。口裂は大きく，上下両あごに長く鋭い犬歯状の歯がある。また，口蓋の鋤骨（じよこつ）にも列生した可動歯がある。これらの歯は後方には倒れるが，前方には倒れないので，獲物をとらえるのにつごうがよい。歯から毒液を分泌する種類もある。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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