Squalius malacitanus
| Málaga chub | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Cypriniformes |
| Family: | Cyprinidae |
| Subfamily: | Leuciscinae |
| Genus: | Squalius |
| Species: | S. malacitanus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Squalius malacitanus | |
Squalius malacitanus, commonly known as the Málaga chub, is a
vertebrae, 21 abdominal, and 17 caudal; large fourth and fifth infraorbital bones; maxilla without a pointed anterior process; the middle of its frontal bone being narrow, as well as its neurocranium bone; the lower branch of its pharyngeal bone is rather long; and the shortness of the inferior lamina of its urohyal bone.[2]
Description
Squalius malacitanus is a small sized species that is usually shorter than 100 millimetres (3.9 in); its head is large and greater than the maximum body depth. Its preorbital distance is shorter than its eye's diameter, exhibiting a short
pectoral fin that is larger than the height of its dorsal fin.[2]
Pigmentation
Its body is silver, somewhat darker dorsally; its colour is less bright than in Squalius valentinus. Its scales have a large black spot on their bases and several small black spots on their distal borders. Its peritoneum is also silver, with some small black spots. Its scales are not deciduous.[2]
Osteology
It possesses a wide and short
supraethmoid, parietal and frontal bones. The posterior process of its pterotic bone is pointed, while the pharyngeal bone's lower branch is long. Its urohyal bone is short and wide. The maxilla's anterior process is pointed, and its 4th and 5th infraorbital bones are wide. The posterior lamina of its cleithrum is non-expanded. It shows a short maxilla with a relatively developed coronoid process.[2]
Distribution and habitat
This fish was found in the Guadalmina River, a river that drains into the
Atherina boyeri.[2]
Status
The
IUCN lists this fish as being a vulnerable species because of its limited range which covers less than 5,000 square kilometres (1,900 sq mi), and due to water abstraction "mainly to supply the proliferation of golf courses". It is a rare species and has a restricted distribution range. The population is currently declining.[1][2]
References
Further reading
- Doadrio Villarejo, Ignacio, Silvia Perea, and F. Alonso. "A new species of the genus Squalius Bonaparte, 1837 (Actinopterygii, Cyprinidae) from the Tagus River basin (central Spain)." Graellsia 63.1 (2007): 89–100.
- Sousa-Santos, Carla, Joana Isabel Robalo, and Ana Pereira. "Threatened fishes of the world: Squalius malacitanus Doadrio and Carmona 2006 (Cyprinidae)." Croatian Journal of Fisheries 72.3 (2014): 136–137.
- Urretabizkaia, PM Leunda, et al. "International standardization of common names for Iberian endemic freshwater fishes." Limnetica 28.2 (2009): 189–202.
- Sousa-Santos, Carla, et al. "UGROŽENE VRSTE RIBA U SVIJETU: Squalius malacitanus Doadrio i Carmona 2006 (Cyprinidae)." Croatian Journal of Fisheries 72.3 (2014): 136–137.