Morphology Data of Micralestes elongatus
Identification keys
Abnormalities
Main Ref. Paugy, D. and S.A. Schaefer, 2007
Appearance refers to
Bones in OsteoBase

Sex attributes

Specialized organs no special organs
Different appearance always different morphology between mature adults
Different colors different colors in juveniles and adults
Remarks Very pronounced sexual dimorphism in male adults; anal fins curved instead of pointed (Ref. 2880, 81279).

Descriptive characteristics of juvenile and adult

Striking features none
Body shape lateral fusiform / normal
Cross section
Dorsal head profile more or less straight
Type of eyes more or less normal
Type of mouth/snout more or less normal
Position of mouth terminal
Type of scales cycloid scales
Diagnosis

Diagnosis: lateral line complete, 23-29 (Ref. 81279) or 26-29 (Ref. 80290) lateral line scales. Anal fin with 3 unbranched and 15-19 (Ref. 81279) or 16-19 (Ref. 80290) branched rays. 11-14 gill rakers on lower part of first branchial arch; 6/8 premaxillary teeth (Ref. 2880, 81279). Inner dentary teeth conical, monocuspid; scales of flank without melanophores concentrated along basal margin, pigment diffuse or absent (Ref. 80290). Fins colorless, at most, pinkish; caudal fin tinged with pink (Ref. 2880, 81279). Tip of dorsal fin usually blackish (Ref. 2880, 80290, 81279). Widely distributed, never found in Cavally River (Ref. 2880, 81279).

Description: body slender; body depth 25-29% and head length 24-28% of SL (Ref. 80290). Body height 3.45-3.95x and head length 3.6-4x in SL (Ref. 42032). Mouth terminal, upper lip prominent, depth of lower jaw about 1.5 that of upper jaw; premaxilla with 3 teeth in outer row each bearing 5 cusps, 4 teeth in inner row each bearing 6-7 cusps; dentary with 4 teeth in outer row each bearing 5-7 cusps, median cusp prominent, a conical monocuspid tooth at symphysis posterior to outer row teeth; lateral line complete, 22-29 tubes, ultimate canal-bearing scale terminal (Ref. 80290). Very pronounced sexual dimorphism in male adults; anal fins curved instead of pointed (Ref. 2880, 81279).

Coloration: body silvery with glossy, brilliant longitudinal band; caudal fin tinged with carmin-pink; usually black spot at dorsal-fin tip (usually absent in very small specimens); lateral band black and appears to be broader posteriorly when preserved in formalin (Ref. 2880, 81279).

Ease of Identification

Meristic characteristics of Micralestes elongatus

Lateral Lines 1 Interrupted: No
Scales on lateral line 23 - 29
Pored lateral line scales
Scales in lateral series
Scale rows above lateral line 4.5 - 4.5
Scale rows below lateral line 3.5 - 3.5
Scales around caudal peduncle
Barbels 0
Gill clefts (sharks/rays only)
Gill rakers
on lower limb 11 - 14
on upper limb
total
Vertebrae
preanal
total

Fins

Dorsal fin(s)

Attributes no striking attributes
Fins number 1
Finlets No. Dorsal   
Ventral  
Spines total
Soft-rays total
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 - 22

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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