Morphology Data of Zaireichthys heterurus
Identification keys
Abnormalities
Main Ref. Eccles, D.H., D. Tweddle and P.H. Skelton, 2011
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 elongated
Cross section
Dorsal head profile
Type of eyes
Type of mouth/snout
Position of mouth
Type of scales
Diagnosis

Diagnosis: Zaireichthys heterurus is distinguished from all other species of Zaireichthys by the presence of only 5 principal rays in the lower lobe of the caudal fin (Ref. 86935). The species has, like Zaireichthys zonatus a broad dark collar immediately posterior to head; larger specimens become stouter, more than any other leptoglanin species (Ref. 86935).

Description: Head broadly rounded; eyes small; barbels attenuate, maxillary barbel extending posteriorly almost to end of pectoral fin spine (Ref. 51287). Number of principal caudal fin rays: 7+5; caudal fin deeply forked, upper lobe much shorter and smaller, and falcate, lower lobe rounded; fin rays in lower lobe noticeable thicker than those in upper lobe (Ref. 51287). Caudal peduncle moderately slender (Ref. 51287). Humeral process moderately long and stout but not denticulated (Ref. 51287).

Colouration: Colour pattern spotted, with a broad dark collar immediately posterior to the head (Ref. 51287).

Ease of Identification

Meristic characteristics of Zaireichthys heterurus

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
Vertebrae
preanal
total 33 - 34

Fins

Dorsal fin(s)

Attributes
Fins number 1
Finlets No. Dorsal   
Ventral  
Spines total
Soft-rays total
Adipose fin present

Caudal fin

Attributes forked; asymmetric

Anal fin(s)

Fins number 1
Spines total
Soft-rays total

Paired fins

Pectoral Attributes  
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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