Mystus malabaricus
| Mystus malabaricus | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Siluriformes |
| Family: | Bagridae |
| Genus: | Mystus |
| Species: | M. malabaricus
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| Binomial name | |
| Mystus malabaricus (Jerdon, 1849)
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| Synonyms[2] | |
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Mystus malabaricus, commonly known as the Jerdon's catfish or koori,[1] is a small to medium-sized freshwater fish of the family Bagridae found in the Western Ghats region of India.[3] They are endemic to the hilly streams of Western Ghats.[4]
Etymology
[edit]The generic epithet, Mystus, is probably derived from mystax (Greek; "whiskered", referring to the four pairs of barbels characteristic of the family). The specific epithet malabaricus refers to Malabar, region in southern India, where the type locality is situated.[5][6]
Ecology
[edit]Members of this genus have been reported as facultative air-breathers.[7] M. malabaricus is amphidromous, meaning they migrate to brackish waters for purposes other than breeding. They have demersal habit,[5] found in shallow hill streams with rocky bottom.[4]
Description and diagnosis
[edit]Nasal barbels never reach occiput, it reaches a middle point between occiput and orbit; outer mandibulars reach to tip of pectorals; occipital process connected to dorsal front by an interneural shield; tip of rayed dorsal reaches to base of adipose dorsal front; any other fins touch each other; dorsal spine smooth both internally and externally; anal fin inserted considerably behind anal opening; upper caudal lobe longer than lower one. Sensory organs distinctly seen on lateral line. Color: body greenish; eyes blackish blue.[4]
Diagnosis
[edit]Body elongate; dorsal and ventral profiles nearly straight; maxillary barbels reach to middle or end of pelvic fins; cephalic fontanel single, shallow and never reach to occiput; occipital process short and it do not reach dorsal front; the former cannot be seen externally as predorsal region is covered by a thick layer of flesh; caudal lobes rounded.[4]
Other species from the region include[4] (list incomplete)[8] -
- Mystus montanus (Jerdon, 1849) ; TL - Mananthawady, Wayanad
- Mystus armatus (Day 1895) ; TL - 'Cochin Malabar'- Trichur
- Mystus oculatus (Valenciennes 1840) ; TL - Kuttiady, Malabar
- Mystus sengtee (Sykes 1839) TL- Dukhun, India
Distribution
[edit]M. malabaricus has been reported from the Western Ghats across Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu[4] and Maharashtra.[5] The type locality is assigned as "mountain streams of Malabar" by Jerdon[9]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Abraham, R. (2020) [errata version of 2011 assessment]. "Mystus malabaricus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2011: e.T172343A174791134. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-1.RLTS.T172343A174791134.en. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
- ^ "Mystus malabaricus (Jerdon, 1849)". Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
- ^ "Mystus malabaricus (Jerdon, 1849) | Species". India Biodiversity Portal. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
- ^ a b c d e f Plamoottil, Dr Mathews (2017). "Taxonomic Notes on Mystus Species of Northern Kerala". Journal of Aquaculture Research & Development. 08 (6). doi:10.4172/2155-9546.1000495. ISSN 2155-9546.
- ^ a b c "Mystus malabaricus : fisheries". www.fishbase.se. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
- ^ "PlanetCatfish.com - Mystus malabaricus (Bagridae) Cat-eLog". www.planetcatfish.com. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
- ^ "References", Air-Breathing Fishes, Elsevier, pp. 265–288, 1997, doi:10.1016/b978-012294860-2/50011-8, ISBN 978-0-12-294860-2, retrieved 2024-08-30
- ^ "Fish Identification". fishbase.de. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
- ^ Madras Literary Society. Madras Journal of Literature and Science. London Natural History Museum Library. Colombo: Madras Literary Society.
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