Gorgasia
Gorgasia is one of the two genera that belong to the subfamily Heterocongrinae (common name: garden eels).[1] This genus is classified by the behavioral pattern of burrowing 75% of their bodies in the sandy substrate they live in and protruding their upper body into the water current above, giving the appearance that they are planted into the ground (origin of common name). This protruding behavior serves a multipurpose functionality to their survival.[2]
The first function serves as a method of collection of their prey. Most members of this genus prey on zooplankton floating in the passing current, while some species (i.e. G. hawaiiensis[3]) will prey on small fish eggs. The second function of the burrowing behavior allows for avoidance of predation. Whenever in the presence of a predator, most commonly the Pacific Snake Eel Ophicthus triserialis, garden eels will retreat back into their burrows and hide. Similarly, during the night hours (non-light hours) when zooplankton populations are low, these eels will return to their burrows and cap them off while they sleep.[4]
Other key characteristics of this genus includes colonial living species, sometimes with a density of up to 40 individuals in a meter-by-meter territory, as well as a metamorphosis stage between the egg stage and adulthood. Colonial living aides in evasion of predators and plays a vital role in their sexual reproduction.
There are 14 species that make up the genus Gorgasia. Each species is diverse in morphological patterning, hosting flat, spotted, freckled, and banded colorations, while still hosting some key defining morphology such as a short snout, large lips, large eyes, dagger shaped teeth, and a single fused anal, dorsal, and caudal ray fin.[5] These species range in length from the shortest being around 40 cm and the longest around 120 cm and have a body cavity typically staying around 10 millimeters in diameter.
This genus is situated near the tropics, residing in warmer waters on continental shelves, typically near coral reefs. During their life cycle, this genus will spend their larval stages in the epipelagic portion of the ocean until they become juveniles.[21] At this time, they will swim down to the sandy substrate of the benthic zone and burrow themselves. The species belonging to this genus vary in the depths at which they are found on the continental shelf. A majority of the species are found between 10–20 meters with some being found as deep as 220 meters[22]
The map to the right shows this genus is widespread across the globe with a high concentration around the Southwestern Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean, with other populations found in the Eastern Pacific Ocean around Latin America and the Eastern Atlantic in the Gulf of Guinea.
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