Microsynodontis notata

description

Description. Biometric and meristic data as in Table 8. Body compressed. Predorsal profile steep; 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. Head depressed and broad, broadly rounded when viewed laterally and with rounded snout margin when viewed from above. Gill openings narrow, extending from immediately ventral to posttemporal to immediately ventral to base of pectoral spine. Gill membranes united to, and attached across, isthmus. Bony elements of dorsal surface of head covered with thin skin. Nuchal shield large and terminating posteriorly with two rounded processes on each side. Supracleithral process thin, extending just short of vertical through posteriormost tip of nuchal shield. Barbels in three pairs. Maxillary barbel long and slender, extending to just beyond base of last pectoral­fin ray. Inner mandibular­barbel origin close to midline, extending to base of pectoral spine and with 2 short, thin branches on anterior half and 3 – 4 long, thin branches on posterior half. Outer mandibular barbel originates posterolatera

The Microsynodontis (Teleostei: Siluriformes: Mochokidae) of the lower Guinea region, west central Africa, with the description of eight new species

diagnosis

Diagnosis. Microsynodontis notatus can be distinguished from all congeners except for M. christyi and M. laevigatus in having a deeper caudal peduncle (9.6 – 11.9 % SL vs. 5.8 – 9.8). It differs from M. christyi in having a larger eye (17.2 – 25.7 % HL vs. 13.6 – 17.9) and from M. laevigatus in having a serrated (vs. smooth) anterior edge of the pectoral spine (Fig. 4) and a rounded (vs. truncate) caudal fin (Fig. 9). It also differs from all congeners in frequently having numerous faint, dark brown elongate spots on the body (vs. spots always absent).

The Microsynodontis (Teleostei: Siluriformes: Mochokidae) of the lower Guinea region, west central Africa, with the description of eight new species

distribution

Distribution. Known only from the lower Ogooué River in Gabon (Fig. 5).

The Microsynodontis (Teleostei: Siluriformes: Mochokidae) of the lower Guinea region, west central Africa, with the description of eight new species

etymology

Etymology. From the Latin notatus, meaning marked. In reference to the dark elongate spots frequently present in this species. Used as an adjective.

The Microsynodontis (Teleostei: Siluriformes: Mochokidae) of the lower Guinea region, west central Africa, with the description of eight new species