Morphology Data of Channallabes alvarezi
Identification keys
Abnormalities
Main Ref. Teugels, G.G., D. Adriaens, S. Devaere and T. Musschoot, 2007
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: large, well pronounced supraorbital process present on infraorbital IV, reaching rostral border of eye; fenestra between scapulo-coracoid and cleithrum present; no contact between entopterygoid and quadrate; no pale spot on skull roof; high number of dorsal (118-160) and anal (105-155) fin rays (Ref. 81644). High number of vertebrae (92-105)(Ref. 58516, 81644). Body lateral line system clearly visible as a white dotted line along flank (Ref. 58516).

Description: body extremely elongate, abdominal depth 3.2-7.2% SL (mean 4.4); long dorsal and anal fins, continuous with caudal fin; dorsal fin rays 118-160 (mode 135), anal fin rays 105-155 (mode 120); distance between supraoccipital process and dorsal fin 6.6-13.1% SL (mean 10.2); pectoral fins present, length between 32-57.8% skull length. Pectoral spine only shows serrations on posterior margin; pelvic fins absent in most cases; skull short, 5.8-13.8% SL (mean 8.5); skull width 55.6-90.7% skull length; skull roof (exposed bony part in between bulging jaw muscles) very narrow, 12-31.1% (mean 18.3) skull length; jaw muscles hypertrophied and bulging (generally bulging in larger specimens); eyes bordered by small infraorbital bones, of which postorbital one has a plate-like outgrowth and bears a supraorbital process, reaching rostral border of eye; eyes small, without free orbital rim; upper lip slightly extends beyond lower lip (Ref. 81644).

Coloration: body colour gradually fades from dark brown on dorsal side to whitish brown on ventral side, both sides separated by a white dotted line, representing the lateral line; skin on jaw muscles shows paler brownish colour than surrounding skin of head; alcohol preserved specimens generally paler; no distinct pale region on skull roof; unpaired fins coloured as body, paired fins usually paler (Ref. 81644).

Ease of Identification

Meristic characteristics of Channallabes alvarezi

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 8
Gill clefts (sharks/rays only)
Gill rakers
on lower limb
on upper limb
total
Vertebrae
preanal
total 92 - 105

Fins

Dorsal fin(s)

Attributes extending over most of the back length
Fins number 1
Finlets No. Dorsal   0
Ventral  0
Spines total 0
Soft-rays total 110 - 160
Adipose fin absent

Caudal fin

Attributes confluent

Anal fin(s)

Fins number 1
Spines total 0
Soft-rays total 101 - 155

Paired fins

Pectoral Attributes  
Spines     
Soft-rays   
Pelvics Attributes  
Position    
Spines     
Soft-rays   
Main Ref. (e.g. 9948)
Glossary ( e.g. cephalopods )
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