First observations of shortfinned Anguilla Bicolor Bicolor and longfinned Anguilla Marmorata silver eels in the Reunion island

Abstract

Silver stage specimens of Anguilla bicolor bicolor and A. marmorata were fished with a keep net in an estuary of the Reunion island (Indian ocean). Such silver anguillids eels have not been pointed out since the years 1957-1958 in South Africa. This short note gives the first morphometric observations of these specimens, before starting histological, endocrinological and otolithometrical analysis, that should contribute to a have a better undestanding of these tropical eels species biological cycle.