Morphology Data of Polypterus endlicherii
Identification keys
Abnormalities
Main Ref. Gosse, J.P. and J. Daget, 2003
Appearance refers to
Bones in OsteoBase

Sex attributes

Specialized organs
Different appearance
Different colors
Remarks

Descriptive characteristics of juvenile and adult

Striking features none
Body shape lateral elongated
Cross section compressed
Dorsal head profile more or less straight
Type of eyes more or less normal
Type of mouth/snout more or less normal
Position of mouth terminal
Type of scales ganoid scales
Diagnosis

Diagnosis: lower jaw longer than upper jaw; pectoral fin reaching first dorsal ray (Ref. 2835, 42908, 81263). 11-14 dorsal finlets (Ref. 28714, 122071), the first situated above the pectoral fins; head flat or slightly concave between the eyes but not convex (Ref. 28714). Third dorsal scale row the first to reach ventral midline; predorsal length short, 21.7-27.4 % SL; few (4-5, rarely 6), broad (more than 3 scale rows wide), dark transverse bars extending from dorsum to middle of flank by confluence of dorsal and lateral blotches sometimes including ventrolateral markings (Ref. 122071).

Description: Body dorso-ventrally depressed, non subcylindrical, the height of which is comprised 7.1-9.1 times in body length and head length 4.1-5.5 times (Ref. 367, 2756, 2835, 42908, 81263). Head flattened, 1.3-1.7 times longer than broad; lower jaw longer than upper jaw; eye diameter 9.4-13 times in head length (Ref. 367, 2756, 2835, 81263). Dorsal fin with 11-14 rays followed by 20-26 dorsal and caudal articulated rays; anal fin with 15-18 rays; pectoral fin rounded getting behind the level of the first dorsal ray (Ref. 2835, 81263). Scales ganoid (Ref. 42904), 50-60 in lateral line, 39-48 around the body, 11-16 predorsal scales (Ref. 367, 2835, 42908, 81263, 122071), 39-45 prepelvic scales. Lateral line scales grooved with a posterior notched border (Ref. 367, 2835, 42908, 81263).

Coloration: In alcohol, body yellowish or greenish on the upper parts, belly clearer, sides with characteristic and irregular vertical black bands; head and fins spotted with black (Ref. 2835, 3069, 81263).

Ease of Identification

Meristic characteristics of Polypterus endlicherii

Lateral Lines 1 Interrupted: No
Scales on lateral line 50 - 60
Pored lateral line scales
Scales in lateral series
Scale rows above lateral line
Scale rows below lateral line
Scales around caudal peduncle
Barbels 0
Gill clefts (sharks/rays only)
Gill rakers
on lower limb 10 - 10
on upper limb
total
Vertebrae
preanal
total 53 - 57

Fins

Dorsal fin(s)

Attributes continuous with caudal fin
Fins number 1
Finlets No. Dorsal   
Ventral  
Spines total 11 - 14
Soft-rays total
Adipose fin absent

Caudal fin

Attributes more or less truncate; more or less normal

Anal fin(s)

Fins number 1
Spines total 0 - 0
Soft-rays total 9 - 18

Paired fins

Pectoral Attributes  more or less normal
Spines     0
Soft-rays   35 - 48
Pelvics Attributes  more or less normal
Position    abdominal  behind origin of D1
Spines     0
Soft-rays   11 - 17
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