Morphology Data of Bathyaethiops atercrinis
Identification keys
Abnormalities
Main Ref. Mamonekene, V. and M.L. Stiassny, 2012
Appearance refers to
Bones in OsteoBase

Sex attributes

Specialized organs
Different appearance
Different colors
Remarks In male, faint humeral blotch usually visible near insertion of pectoral fin; no trace of humeral blotch detectable in females; in males distinctive broad black blotch extends just above midline behind dorsal fin and ventrally over anal fin; distal margin of anal fin lacks black pigmentation; in females and juveniles, caudal blotch less extensive and not extending over anal fin; anal fin creamy white or hyaline; other fins hyaline, but in males leading edge of pectoral fin dusky black (Ref. 91757).

Descriptive characteristics of juvenile and adult

Striking features
Body shape lateral fusiform / normal
Cross section
Dorsal head profile
Type of eyes
Type of mouth/snout
Position of mouth terminal
Type of scales
Diagnosis

Diagnosis: This species is distinguished from congeners by the possession of 21-24 scales in the longitudinal series vs. 28-42 scales, and from Brachypetersius altus by the possession of a short, abridged lateral line of 6 or 7 pored scales vs. a complete lateral line of 20-28 pored scales (Ref. 91757). Unique among related taxa in displaying marked sexual dichromatism, and dimorphism of the anal-fin skeleton; with medially expanded first anal-fin pterygiophores, markedly enlarged branched anal-ray segments, and strongly convex anal-fin profiles characterizing males; they also display a distinctive black blotch extending from just above midline behind the dorsal fin and passing ventrally over the anal fin (Ref. 91757).

Description: Small-sized species; relatively deep-bodied, particularly in mature males, body depth 32.0-37.6% of standard length, greatest depth at vertical through insertion of pelvic fin (Ref. 91757). Head length 26.4-29.9% of standard length; eye large, bony orbit diameter 36.1-39.9% of head length; dorsal head profile gently convex from upper lip to nape, steeply convex from that point to dorsal-fin origin; dorsal body profile slightly concave along dorsal-fin base, gently convex to caudal-fin base; ventral body profile convex between isthmus and anal-fin base; caudal peduncle usually slightly longer than deep (Ref. 91757). Mouth terminal, lower jaw prominent and slightly prognathous; premaxilla with 2 teeth in outer row, each bearing 3 cusps, positioned opposite interspaces between and alternating with, 4 inner row teeth, each bearing 5-7 cusps; dentary with 4 teeth in outer row, each bearing 8 cusps, 2 small, unicuspid inner row teeth situated at jaw symphysis (Ref. 91757). Dorsal fin with 2 unbranched and 7-8 branched rays, anal fin with 3 unbranched and 15-17 branched rays; origin of dorsal fin slightly in advance of vertical through pelvic-fin insertion (Ref. 91757). Body covered with large, regularly imbricate scales; pored scales of lateral line reduced to 6 or 7 anterior scales; 21-24 scales in longitudinal series to caudal flexion, 4.5 scale rows between lateral line and dorsal-fin insertion, 2.5 between lateral line and pelvic-fin insertion, 10 circumpeduncular scales (Ref. 91757). Thirteen or 14 elongate gill rakers arrayed along lower limb of first arch (Ref. 91757). Total vertebral count 33-35 (Ref. 91757).

Colouration: In alcohol base body colouration pale cream with brown basal crescents present at contact zones of contiguous scales, particularly evident on dorsum and along midline but extend over flanks in larger specimens of both sexes; dorsum of head dark brown; same as distal portion of adipose fin (Ref. 91757). In life, iridescent silver with greenish-copper reflections posterolaterally on flanks and caudal peduncle; in males black blotch evident only at base of anal fin and over body of fin; distal margin of anal fin strongly contrasted in white; in females black blotch visible only over caudal peduncle and along anal-fin base (Ref. 91757).

Ease of Identification

Meristic characteristics of Bathyaethiops atercrinis

Lateral Lines Interrupted: No
Scales on lateral line
Pored lateral line scales 6 - 7
Scales in lateral series 21 - 24
Scale rows above lateral line 4.5 - 4.5
Scale rows below lateral line 2.5 - 2.5
Scales around caudal peduncle 10 - 10
Barbels
Gill clefts (sharks/rays only)
Gill rakers
on lower limb 13 - 14
on upper limb
total
Vertebrae
preanal
total 33 - 35

Fins

Dorsal fin(s)

Attributes no striking attributes
Fins number 2
Finlets No. Dorsal   
Ventral  
Spines total 0 - 0
Soft-rays total 9 - 10
Adipose fin present

Caudal fin

Attributes forked; more or less normal

Anal fin(s)

Fins number 1
Spines total 0 - 0
Soft-rays total 18 - 20

Paired fins

Pectoral Attributes  more or less normal
Spines     
Soft-rays   
Pelvics Attributes  more or less normal
Position    abdominal  behind origin of D1
Spines     
Soft-rays   
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