Morphology Data of Synodontis melanopterus
Identification keys
Abnormalities
Main Ref. Paugy, D. and T.R. Roberts, 2003
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 fusiform / normal
Cross section
Dorsal head profile
Type of eyes
Type of mouth/snout
Position of mouth
Type of scales
Diagnosis

Diagnosis: gill slits not extending ventrally beyond pectoral-fin insertions; post-orbital length at least 60% of snout length; maxillary barbels longer than head, unbranched, without tubercles and bordered by a distinct black basal membrane; outer mandibular barbels with numerous short and simple ramifications, branches of inner mandibular barbels short, simple, but thick and sometimes tuberculate; mandibular teeth long, numbering 33-50; dorsal-fin spine and branched dorsal-fin rays prolonged into short filaments, the spine smooth anteriorly; denticulations of pectoral-fin spines finer on outer than on inner margin; humeral process rather slender, granulose, pointed and ventrally keeled; adipose fin well developed and rather close to rayed dorsal fin; colour uniformly dark, without spots on body or fins (Ref. 57223).

Coloration: rather dark, slightly lighter on belly; fins blackish, sometimes faintly spotted (Ref. 57223).

Ease of Identification

Meristic characteristics of Synodontis melanopterus

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 6
Gill clefts (sharks/rays only)
Gill rakers
on lower limb 16 - 17
on upper limb 5
total
Vertebrae
preanal
total

Fins

Dorsal fin(s)

Attributes no striking attributes
Fins number 1
Finlets No. Dorsal   0
Ventral  0
Spines total 1 - 1
Soft-rays total 7 - 7
Adipose fin present

Caudal fin

Attributes forked; more or less normal

Anal fin(s)

Fins number 1
Spines total 0
Soft-rays total 11 - 12

Paired fins

Pectoral Attributes  more or less normal
Spines     1
Soft-rays   8 - 9
Pelvics Attributes  more or less normal
Position    abdominal  behind origin of D1
Spines     0
Soft-rays   
Main Ref. (e.g. 9948)
Glossary ( e.g. cephalopods )
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