Morphology Data of Polypterus ansorgii
Identification keys
Abnormalities
Main Ref. Gosse, J.P. and J. Daget, 2003
Appearance refers to
Bones in OsteoBase

Sex attributes

Specialized organs other
Different appearance
Different colors
Remarks

Descriptive characteristics of juvenile and adult

Striking features none
Body shape lateral elongated
Cross section circular
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 ganoid scales
Diagnosis

Diagnosis: Polypterus ansorgii is distinguished from other species of the genus by its two jaws of equal length and its dorsal fin set forward, only separated from the head by 11 to 13 scales (Ref. 2835, 81263).

Description: Subcylindrical body (Ref. 2756, 42908); body height comprised 7,5 to 8 times in total length and head length 4 to 4,8 times (Ref. 81263). Upper and lower jaw of equal length (Ref. 2835, 3032, 42908). Dorsal fin with 13 to 15 deeply notched rays (Ref. 2835, 3032, 81263). Pectoral fin longer than vertical through first dorsal ray (Ref. 2756). Ganoid scales (Ref. 42904): 55-62 in longitudinal line; 42-46 around body; 11-13 predorsal scales (Ref. 2835, 3032, 42908, 81263).

Colouration: The colour is greenish-black with large black blotches on the flanks (Ref. 3023). Body mottled with black on preserved specimens (Ref. 2835, 81263).

Ease of Identification

Meristic characteristics of Polypterus ansorgii

Lateral Lines 1 Interrupted: No
Scales on lateral line 55 - 62
Pored lateral line scales
Scales in lateral series
Scale rows above lateral line
Scale rows below lateral line
Scales around caudal peduncle
Barbels 0
Gill clefts (sharks/rays only)
Gill rakers
on lower limb
on upper limb
total
Vertebrae
preanal
total

Fins

Dorsal fin(s)

Attributes continuous with caudal fin
Fins number 1
Finlets No. Dorsal   
Ventral  
Spines total 13 - 15
Soft-rays total 0 - 0
Adipose fin absent

Caudal fin

Attributes more or less truncate; more or less normal

Anal fin(s)

Fins number 1
Spines total 0 - 0
Soft-rays total 12 - 14

Paired fins

Pectoral Attributes  more or less normal
Spines     0
Soft-rays   41 - 41
Pelvics Attributes  more or less normal
Position    abdominal  behind origin of D1
Spines     0
Soft-rays   12 - 12
Main Ref. (e.g. 9948)
Glossary ( e.g. cephalopods )
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