Morphology Data of Malapterurus cavalliensis
Identification keys
Abnormalities
Main Ref. Roberts, T.R., 2000
Appearance refers to
Bones in OsteoBase

Sex attributes

Specialized organs
Different appearance
Different colors
Remarks

Descriptive characteristics of juvenile and adult

Striking features
Body shape lateral
Cross section
Dorsal head profile
Type of eyes
Type of mouth/snout
Position of mouth
Type of scales
Diagnosis

Diagnosis: low counts of vertebrae and of gill rakers; exceptionally large oral tooth bands; premaxillary tooth band is laterally fairly broad and longitudinally broader than any other species in West African coastal streams; most distinctively colored species of Malapterurus (Ref. 34006).

Description: vertebrae 24+17=41 (3) and 25+16=41 (1); gill rakers 1+11=12 and 3+13=16 (in 121.5 mm holotype and 121 mm paratype); pectoral fin rays 8-9; pelvic rays 6 (Ref. 34006).

Coloration: nearly entire body covered with numerous small spots; expect for its pale margin, the entire caudal fin is black; narrow pale area on caudal peduncle partially invaded by spots; black bar from anterior of adipose fin base to anal fin base; posterior to this bar a very pale area; anal fin and almost entire adipose fin are pale (Ref. 34006). Caudal peduncle whitish in juveniles (Ref. 78218).

Ease of Identification

Meristic characteristics of Malapterurus cavalliensis

Lateral Lines Interrupted: No
Scales on lateral line
Pored lateral line scales
Scales in lateral series
Scale rows above lateral line
Scale rows below lateral line
Scales around caudal peduncle
Barbels
Gill clefts (sharks/rays only)
Gill rakers
on lower limb
on upper limb
total 11 - 16
Vertebrae
preanal
total 41 - 41

Fins

Dorsal fin(s)

Attributes
Fins number
Finlets No. Dorsal   
Ventral  
Spines total
Soft-rays total
Adipose fin

Caudal fin

Attributes

Anal fin(s)

Fins number
Spines total
Soft-rays total

Paired fins

Pectoral Attributes  
Spines     
Soft-rays   
Pelvics Attributes  
Position    
Spines     
Soft-rays   
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