Morphology Data of Symphodus melops
Identification keys
Abnormalities
Main Ref. Fischer, W., M.-L. Bauchot and M. Schneider (eds.), 1987
Appearance refers to
Bones in OsteoBase

Sex attributes

Specialized organs protruding genital papilla (am)
Different appearance
Different colors different colors during breeding season only
Remarks

Descriptive characteristics of juvenile and adult

Striking features none
Body shape lateral fusiform / normal
Cross section
Dorsal head profile more or less straight
Type of eyes more or less normal
Type of mouth/snout more or less normal
Position of mouth terminal
Type of scales cycloid scales
Diagnosis

A few cephalic pores (7-12) on snout. Lips with 5-7 folds. Scales on temporo-occipital surface 3-5 rows; on inter-operculum 2-3 (6-13) scales; on cheek 4-7; behind eye 1. A small dark spot on caudal peduncle. Often 5 large brown blotches near dorsal fin. Females and young: with numerous spots on body more or less longitudinally lined, some sinuous lines on head (Ref. 231). Coloration very variable; ground color of the male is greenish or blue while females are brownish to yellowish (Ref. 35388).

Ease of Identification

Meristic characteristics of Symphodus melops

Lateral Lines 1 Interrupted: No
Scales on lateral line 31 - 37
Pored lateral line scales
Scales in lateral series
Scale rows above lateral line 4.5 - 5.5
Scale rows below lateral line
Scales around caudal peduncle
Barbels 0
Gill clefts (sharks/rays only) absent
Gill rakers
on lower limb
on upper limb
total 13 - 16
Vertebrae
preanal
total

Fins

Dorsal fin(s)

Attributes no striking attributes
Fins number 1
Finlets No. Dorsal   0 - 0
Ventral  0 - 0
Spines total 14 - 17
Soft-rays total 8 - 10
Adipose fin absent

Caudal fin

Attributes more or less truncate; more or less normal

Anal fin(s)

Fins number 1
Spines total 3 - 3
Soft-rays total 8 - 11

Paired fins

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