Polypterus mokelembembe

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Polypterus mokelembembe
Systematics
Class : Ray fins (Actinopterygii)
Subclass : Cladistia
Order : Polypteriformes
Family : Pike (Polypteridae)
Genre : Common pike ( Polypterus )
Type : Polypterus mokelembembe
Scientific name
Polypterus mokelembembe
Schliewen & Schäfer, 2006

Polypterus mokelembembe is a freshwater fish from the pike family(Polypteridae) that occurs in the central Congo Basin. The species was only described in 2006and named after Mokele-Mbembe , a mythical, sauropod- like creature that is believed to livein the jungles of Central Africa.

features

Polypterus mokelembembe is a maximum of 23.5 cm long, making it the smallest species of pike. The elongated body, covered with ganoid scales , is approximately round in cross-section in the front two thirds. The last third of the body is flattened laterally. The scales on the sides of the body are approximately square, and rhombic on the tail stalk. The head is slightly flattened, the muzzle comparatively pointed, the mouth terminal, the lips are fleshy. The distance between the nostrils is 11.6 to 13.7% of the length of the head. The number of dorsal fleas is 6 to 8. Each is supported by 6 to 8 fin rays. The first dorsal fin ray is broad and reaches 6.4 to 8.1 & the length of the head. Polypterus mokelembembe has 57 to 60 scales in a row along the sideline , 32 to 38 scales in a row around the body, 32 to 37 scales in front of the first flea and 42 to 47 scales in front of the pelvic fins. The pectoral fins are almost round and do not reach the first raft. There is a large black spot at its base. The back and the upper two-thirds of the sides of the body are dark gray and show a pattern of darker bands and spots. The ventral side is light, the transition between the color zones is blurred.

Polypterus mokelembembe differs from all other whitefish with the exception of P. retropinnis , P. teugelsi and P. palmas palmas by the high number of scales in front of the first scales (32 to 37 predorsal scales versus 11 to 28), from P. teugelsi by the black spot at the base of the pectoral fins (numerous small dots in P. teugelsi ) and from P. retropinnis through a broader first dorsal fin ray, a smaller distance between the nostrils and fewer pectoral fin rays (23 to 29 versus 30 to 34).

Way of life

Polypterus mokelembembe lives in small, shaded rainforest rivers . Like all pike, it feeds predatory on a variety of prey.

literature

  • Schliewen, UK & F. Schäfer, 2006. Polypterus mokelembembe, a new species of bichir from the central Congo River basin (Actinopterygii: Cladistia: Polypteridae). Zootaxa 1129: 23-36.

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