Microsynodontis nasutus

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Microsynodontis nasutus
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Siluriformes
Family: Mochokidae
Genus: Microsynodontis
Species:
M. nasutus
Binomial name
Microsynodontis nasutus
Ng, 2004

Microsynodontis nasutus is a species of upside-down catfish endemic to Gabon where it occurs in the Ogowe River. [2] It was first described in 2004 by Ng Heok Hee. [3]

Contents

The genus Microsynodontis is restricted to the rivers of western Africa (from the Saint Paul River drainage south and east to the Congo River drainage), and comprises small mochokid catfishes diagnosed by the following synapomorphies: a narrow mesethmoid, lack of free orbital margin, transverse ventral fold of branchiostegal membranes, slender cleithral process, and a rounded or truncate caudal fin (Howes, 1980).

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. nasutus 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. [4]

Description

M. nasutus is a small fish, reaching a maximum standard length of 3.7 centimeters (1.5 in). [2] The mouth of the fish faces downward, with broad lips containing papilla. [5] 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. [6] The front edges of the dorsal fins and the pectoral fins are hardened into stiff spines that can be locked into place. [6] The body shape is cylindrical along its entire length. [5]

M. nasutus can be distinguished from other members of the genus Microsynodontis by examining the length of the snout. In M. nasutus, the snout is longer, with a length of about 50% to 53% of the standard length of the fish, whereas other species in the genus have shorter snouts, ranging from about 36% to 50% of the standard length. [3] 

personal profile gently convex; postdorsal body sloping gently ventrally. Preanal profile horizontal.

Anus and urogenital openings located at vertical through middle of pelvic fin. Skin smooth. Lateral line complete and midlateral. Mouth inferior and crescent-shaped lips plicate. Oral teeth in rows on all tooth-bearing surfaces. Premaxillae narrow, with narrow ventral shelf and partially exposed when mouth closed. Primary teeth 13–14, conical and separated from secondary teeth by distinct gap

Related Research Articles

<i>Microsynodontis</i> Genus of fishes

Microsynodontis is a genus of upside-down catfishes native to freshwater rivers in western Africa. The genus was originally described by British-Belgian zoologist George Albert Boulenger in 1903 based upon the type species Microsynodontis batesii. The name microsynodontis comes from the Greek word mikro, meaning small, and the Greek term synodon, meaning "with the teeth all growing together".

Microsynodontis armatus is a species of upside-down catfish endemic to Gabon where it occurs in the Ivindo River. It was first described in 2004 by Ng Heok Hee.

Microsynodontis emarginata is a species of upside-down catfish endemic to Gabon where it occurs in the Ogowe River. It was first described in 2004 by Ng Heok Hee.

Microsynodontis hirsuta is a species of upside-down catfish endemic to Gabon where it occurs in the Ntem River. It was first described in 2004 by Ng Heok Hee.

Microsynodontis laevigata is a species of upside-down catfish endemic to Gabon where it is found in the Ivindo River. It was first described in 2004 by Ng Heok Hee.

Microsynodontis nannoculus is a species of upside-down catfish endemic to Equatorial Guinea where it occurs in the Kyé River. It was first described in 2004 by Ng Heok Hee.

Microsynodontis notata is a species of upside-down catfish endemic to Gabon where it occurs in the Ogowe River. It was first described in 2004 by Ng Heok Hee.

Microsynodontis vigilis is a species of upside-down catfish endemic to Gabon where it occurs in the Ogowe River. It was first described in 2004 by Ng Heok Hee.

<i>Synodontis brichardi</i> Species of fish

Synodontis brichardi, known as Brichard's synodontis, is a species of upside-down catfish that is endemic to the Democratic Republic of the Congo where it occurs in the rapids of the lower Congo River. It was first described by Max Poll in 1959. The original specimens were obtained from the rapids at Kinsuka, Kinshaa, Zaire. The species name brichardi is named in honor of Pierre Brichard, an aquarium fish exporter who first discovered the fish.

Synodontis camelopardalis, known as the giraffe synodontis, is a species of upside-down catfish that is endemic to the Democratic Republic of the Congo where it is only known to occur in the Tshuapa River. It was first described by Max Poll in 1971. The original specimens were obtained in Eala, on the Ruki River in the central Congo River Basin. The species name camelopardalis refers to the giraffe, Giraffa camelopardalis, in reference to the coloration of the fish.

<i>Synodontis centralis</i> Species of fish

Synodontis centralis is a species of upside-down catfish that is endemic to the Democratic Republic of the Congo where it occurs in the middle Congo Basin. It was first described by Max Poll in 1971. The original specimens were obtained in Ndwa village, Kunungu, Zaire. The species name centralis refers to its habitat in the central Congo Basin.

Synodontis iturii is a species of upside-down catfish that is endemic to the Democratic Republic of the Congo where it is only known from the Ituri River. It was first described by Franz Steindachner in 1911. The original specimens were obtained in the Ituri River, in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The species name iturii is derived from the Ituri River, where the species was discovered.

<i>Synodontis longirostris</i> Species of fish

Synodontis longirostris, known as the eyespot synodontis, is a species of upside-down catfish that is native to the Democratic Republic of the Congo where it occurs in the Congo Basin. It was first described by British-Belgian zoologist George Albert Boulenger in 1902, from specimens obtained in the Ubangi River at Banzyville. The species name longirostris comes from the Latin word longus, meaning "long", and the Latin word rostrum, meaning snout, referring to the long snout on this species.

Synodontis lufirae is a species of upside-down catfish that is endemic to the Democratic Republic of the Congo where it occurs in the Lufira River drainage. It was first described by Max Poll in 1971. The original specimens were obtained in the Lufira River, in the Congo River Basin. The species name lufirae is named for the river in which the species is found.

<i>Synodontis multimaculatus</i> Species of fish

Synodontis multimaculatus, known as the dotted synodontis, is a species of upside-down catfish that is native to the Democratic Republic of the Congo where it is found in the Ubangi River. It was first described by British-Belgian zoologist George Albert Boulenger in 1902, from a specimen collected in the Ubangi River in Mobayi-Mbongo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The species name multimaculatus is derived from the word multi, meaning many, and the Latin word maculatus, meaning spots, referring to the many spots on the fish.

<i>Synodontis nigromaculatus</i> Species of fish

Synodontis nigromaculatus, known as the spotted squeaker, the blackspotted squeaker, or the speckled squeaker, is a species of upside-down catfish that is found widely in southern Africa. It has been identified in Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. It was first described by British-Belgian zoologist George Albert Boulenger in 1905, from specimens collected in Lake Bangweulu in Zambia.

<i>Synodontis pardalis</i> Species of fish

Synodontis pardalis is a species of upside-down catfish that is endemic to Cameroon where it occurs in the Dja River drainage. It was first described by British-Belgian zoologist George Albert Boulenger in 1908, from specimens collected in the Dja River in southern Cameroon. The species name pardalis is derived from the Greek word pardalis, which means "leopard", which refers to the spotted pattern on the fish.

<i>Synodontis robbianus</i> Species of fish

Synodontis robbianus, known as the russet synodontis, is a species of upside-down catfish that is native to Nigeria where it is found in the Cross and lower Niger Rivers. It was first described by John Alexander Smith in 1875, from specimens collected in the Calabar River, Nigeria. The species name robbianus is named after Rev. Alexander Robb, a Scottish missionary, who collected the original species samples.

<i>Synodontis soloni</i> Species of fish

Synodontis soloni, known as the scissortail synodontis, is a species of upside-down catfish that is endemic to the Democratic Republic of the Congo where it is found in the Ubangi River and the rapids just below Stanley Pool. It was first described by British-Belgian zoologist George Albert Boulenger in 1899, from the Congo River in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The species name soloni is a patronym and in memory of Alexandre Solon, who assisted with the collection of fish.

Synodontis unicolor is a species of upside-down catfish that is endemic to the Democratic Republic of the Congo where it occurs in the area of Luapula-Mweru. It was first described by George Albert Boulenger in 1915. The original specimens were obtained in Kasenga, on the Luapula River in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The species name unicolor means "one color", referring to the uniform dark-brown coloration on the body and fins.

References

  1. ↑ Moelants, T. (2010). "Microsynodontis nasutus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2010: e.T181591A7686032. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T181591A7686032.en . Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2016). "Microsynodontis nasutus" in FishBase. June 2016 version.
  3. 1 2 3 4 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.
  4. ↑ Moelants, T. (2010). "Microsynodontis nasutus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2010: e.T181591A7686032. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T181591A7686032.en . Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  5. 1 2 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.
  6. 1 2 Nelson, Joseph S. (2006). Fishes of the World . John Wiley & Sons, Inc. ISBN   0-471-25031-7. OCLC   224053746.

Boulenger, G.A. (1905) A list of freshwater fishes of Africa. Annals and Magazine of Natural History (Series 7),16, 36–6

Roberts, T. R. (1989) Systematic revision and description of new species of suckermouth catfishes (Chiloglanis, Mochokidae) from Cameroun. Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences (Series 4), 46, 151–178.

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