Morphology Data of Malapterurus shirensis
Identification keys
Abnormalities
Main Ref. Norris, S.M., 2002
Appearance refers to
Bones in OsteoBase

Sex attributes

Specialized organs
Different appearance
Different colors
Remarks

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

Medium-sized species probably attaining over 300 mm; vertebral counts 23+19+42(2); tooth bands moderately large, laterally and longitudinally moderately broad. Distinguished from the species in the Congo basin by its coloration, with relatively large blotches similar with M. electricus and M. minjiriya. Resembles M. electricus but differs in having more vertebrae (45 vs. 41-44), fewer gill rakers, and oral tooth bands that are laterally and longitudinally somewhat shorter. Holotype and paratype from the Shire have 2+21=23 and 3+18=21 gill rakers on the first gill arch (Ref. 34006). Tooth patches narrow; pectoral fin placed near the body mid-depth; 9 pectoral-fin rays; 9-11 anal-fin rays; total number of vertebrae 40-41; 7-8 branched caudal-fin rays; large blotches on dorsum and flank; base color grey; caudal fin at most lightly spotted (Ref. 44050).

Description: head and trunk moderately depressed; mouth wide; lower jaw slightly prominent; 16-17 abdominal and 23-25 caudal vertebrae; 19-20 caudal fin rays (arrangement ii-7-8-ii-iii) (Ref. 44050).

Coloration: body and head bicolored; dorsum and flank dark brown, with venter pale tan or off-white; scattered large blotches (up to 2-5 times an eye diameter) mark dorsum and flank; small spots occasionally mark the venter; a light scattering of small spots is carried onto caudal fin, which is otherwise pigmented as flank; no pale distal margin or pale basal crescent on caudal fin; pectoral fin slightly darkened; pelvic fin unpigmented; juvenile pigmentation unknown; no indication of a caudal saddle and bar pattern (Ref. 44050).

Ease of Identification

Meristic characteristics of Malapterurus shirensis

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 8 - 19
on upper limb 2 - 3
total 11 - 23
Vertebrae
preanal
total 40 - 45

Fins

Dorsal fin(s)

Attributes
Fins number
Finlets No. Dorsal   
Ventral  
Spines total
Soft-rays total
Adipose fin

Caudal fin

Attributes

Anal fin(s)

Fins number 1
Spines total 0 - 0
Soft-rays total 9 - 11

Paired fins

Pectoral Attributes  more or less normal
Spines     0
Soft-rays   9
Pelvics Attributes  more or less normal
Position    abdominal
Spines     0
Soft-rays   6 - 7
Main Ref. (e.g. 9948)
Glossary ( e.g. cephalopods )
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