Morphology Data of Parailia somalensis
Identification keys
Abnormalities
Main Ref. De Vos, L., 1995
Appearance refers to
Bones in OsteoBase

Sex attributes

Specialized organs
Different appearance
Different colors
Remarks Males with long and pointed genital papilla (Ref. 43912).

Descriptive characteristics of juvenile and adult

Striking features
Body shape lateral
Cross section
Dorsal head profile
Type of eyes
Type of mouth/snout
Position of mouth
Type of scales
Diagnosis

Diagnosis: adipose fin always present; inner side of pectoral spine without serrations, being entirely smooth (Ref. 43912).

Description: 8-10 branched pectoral fin rays; 46-49 non-fused vertebrae; gill rakers long and slender; 9-10 branchiostegal rays on one side of head; head rounded; lower jaw reaching as far as snout or a little shorter; anal fin narrowly separated from caudal, latter deeply forked, with pointed lobes, the lower being larger; males with long and pointed genital papilla (Ref. 43912). Closely related to congenerics but distinguished from them by the combination of the absence of pectoral spine serrations and the presence of an adipose fin (Ref. 43912).

Coloration: in life: colourless and translucent, swim-bladder showing through skin; dorsal surface and base of anal fin lightly peppered with melanophores (Ref. 43912). Formal fixed specimens: body white and opaque (yellow-brown in alcohol), but melanophores still visible (Ref. 43912).

Ease of Identification

Meristic characteristics of Parailia somalensis

Lateral Lines Interrupted: No
Scales on lateral line
Pored lateral line scales
Scales in lateral series
Scale rows above lateral line
Scale rows below lateral line
Scales around caudal peduncle
Barbels
Gill clefts (sharks/rays only)
Gill rakers
on lower limb 22 - 27
on upper limb
total
Vertebrae
preanal
total

Fins

Dorsal fin(s)

Attributes greatly reduced or absent
Fins number
Finlets No. Dorsal   0
Ventral  0
Spines total 0
Soft-rays total 0
Adipose fin present

Caudal fin

Attributes forked

Anal fin(s)

Fins number 1
Spines total 60 - 75
Soft-rays total

Paired fins

Pectoral Attributes  
Spines     
Soft-rays   
Pelvics Attributes  
Position    abdominal
Spines     
Soft-rays   
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