Morphology Data of Salvelinus namaycush
Identification keys
Abnormalities
Main Ref. Scott, W.B. and E.J. Crossman, 1973
Appearance refers to
Bones in OsteoBase

Sex attributes

Specialized organs no special organs
Different appearance
Different colors
Remarks

Descriptive characteristics of juvenile and adult

Striking features none
Body shape lateral fusiform / normal
Cross section oval
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

Distinguished by its color, white or yellowish spots on a dark green to grayish background, its deeply forked tail and its numerous pyloric caeca. Lateral line slightly curved anteriorly; pelvic fins with small axillary process (Ref. 27547). Body typically trout-like, elongate, somewhat rounded. Head stout, broad dorsally; mouth large, terminal, snout usually protruding slightly beyond lower jaw when mouth is closed. Back and sides usually dark green liberally sprinkled with whitish to yellowish (never pink or red) spots; overall color varies from light green to gray, brown, dark green or nearly black; belly white; pale spots present on dorsal, adipose and caudal fins and usually on base of anal; sometimes orange-red on paired fins, especially in northern populations; anterior edge of paired and anal fins sometimes with a white border. At spawning time, males develop a dark lateral stripe and become paler on the back (Ref. 27547). Caudal fin with 19 rays (Ref. 2196). Distinguished from congeners in Europe by the unique dark brown head, body, dorsal and caudal fins, covered by small pale spots; differs also by its deeply forked caudal fin (Ref. 59043).

Ease of Identification

Meristic characteristics of Salvelinus namaycush

Lateral Lines Interrupted: No
Scales on lateral line 185 - 205
Pored lateral line scales 116 - 138
Scales in lateral series 185 - 205
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 16 - 26
Vertebrae
preanal
total 61 - 69

Fins

Dorsal fin(s)

Attributes no striking attributes
Fins number 1
Finlets No. Dorsal   0 - 0
Ventral  0 - 0
Spines total 4 - 5
Soft-rays total 8 - 10
Adipose fin present

Caudal fin

Attributes forked; more or less normal

Anal fin(s)

Fins number 1
Spines total 4 - 5
Soft-rays total 8 - 10

Paired fins

Pectoral Attributes  more or less normal
Spines     1
Soft-rays   8 - 17
Pelvics Attributes  more or less normal
Position    abdominal  behind origin of D1
Spines     2
Soft-rays   8 - 11
Main Ref. (e.g. 9948)
Glossary ( e.g. cephalopods )
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