Microsynodontis notata
Microsynodontis notata | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Siluriformes |
Family: | Mochokidae |
Genus: | Microsynodontis |
Species: | M. notata
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Binomial name | |
Microsynodontis notata Ng , 2004 |
Microsynodontis notata is a species of
Taxonomy
Before 2004, the genus Microsynodontis was believed to contain only four species, Microsynodontis batesii, M. christyi, M. lamberti, and M. polli.[3] However, when examining previously collected specimens from the lower Guinea region that had been identified as M. batesii, Dr. Ng discovered that the specimens actually consisted of nine distinct species, eight of them previously undescribed.[3] He published the descriptions of the new species in 2004. M. notata is one of the new species that he described. Although the eight new species have been accepted by the scientific community, there is still some dispute among scientists as to whether the newly described species are actually separate species as the species are extremely difficult to tell apart.[1]
Description
M. notata is a small fish, reaching a maximum standard length of 5.4 centimeters (2.1 in).[2] The mouth of the fish faces downward, with broad lips containing papilla.[4] The fish has three pairs of barbels. The maxillary barbels are on located on the upper jaw, and two pairs of mandibular barbels are on the lower jaw.[5] The front edges of the dorsal fins and the pectoral fins are hardened into stiff spines that can be locked into place.[5] The body shape is cylindrical along its entire length.[4]
M. notata can be distinguished from other members of the genus Microsynodontis by examining the pectoral spine, the length of the
References
- ^ . Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- ^ a b Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2016). "Microsynodontis notata" in FishBase. June 2016 version.
- ^ a b c d Ng, Heok Hee (2004). "The Microsynodontis (Teleostei: Siluriformes: Mochokidae) of the lower Guinea region, west central Africa, with the description of eight new species" (PDF). Zootaxa. 531: 1–52.
- ^ a b John P. Friel & Thomas R. Vigliotta (March 2, 2009). "Mochokidae Jordan 1923: African squeaker and suckermouth catfishes". Tree of Life Web Project. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
- ^ OCLC 224053746.