Polypterus palmas

Polypterus palmas, the shortfin or marbled bichir, is a fish in the family Polypteridae[4] found in freshwater environments within a demersal depth range in tropical climates.[4]

Polypterus palmas
Polypterus palmas polli, from Boma, Zair, in Royal Museum for Central Africa
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Polypteriformes
Family: Polypteridae
Genus: Polypterus
Species:
P. palmas
Binomial name
Polypterus palmas
Ayres, 1850[1]
Subspecies
  • P. p. buettikoferi (Steindachner 1891)
  • P. p. palmas Ayres 1850
Synonyms[2][3]
  • Polypterus lowei Boulenger 1911
  • Polypterus buettikoferi Steindachner 1891
  • Polypterus retropinnis lowei (Boulenger 1911)

Distribution

This species is found in Africa within the Cavally River basin in Côte d'Ivoire, the river basins of eastern Liberia, the St. John River, the upper Casamance River in Senegal, and the Saint Paul River in western Liberia.[5][4]

Description

It grows to 30.0 cm. The maximum recorded length of P. palmas as an unsexed male is about 35.3 cm (13.9) inches.[4] It is recorded to be a carnivore. P. palmas is commonly identified by its prominent upper jaw that is longer than its lower jaw. The color of this species ranges from light to dark gray. The body also has blotches of darker color.[4]

Common names

Its common names include shortfin bichir,[4] marbled bichir, or dinosaur eel due to its lungfish-like appearance which was described as more primitive and prehistoric than other modern fishes,[6] though it only resembles eels.

References
  1. Olaosebikan, B.D; Lalèyè, P. (2010). "Polypterus palmas". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2010: e.T182701A7947773. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T182701A7947773.en.
  2. Froese, R.; Pauly, D. (2017). "Polypteridae". FishBase version (02/2017). Retrieved 18 May 2017.
  3. Van Der Laan, Richard; Eschmeyer, William N.; Fricke, Ronald (11 November 2014). "Family-group names of Recent fishes". Zootaxa. 3882 (1): 1–230. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.3882.1.1. PMID 25543675.
  4. "Polypterus palmas Ayres, 1850 Shortfin bichir". Fish Base. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
  5. "Polypterus palmas palmas Marbled Bichir". Seriously Fish. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
  6. "Polypterus Palmas (Marbled birchir)". The Tropical Tank. Retrieved 24 July 2013.


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