Redescription of Dolichallabes microphthalmus (Poll, 1942) (Siluriformes, Clariidae)

• Published in: Copeia Vol. 2004; no. 1; pp. 108 - 115
• Main Authors: Devaere, Stijn, Teugels, Guy G, Adriaens, Dominique, Huysentruyt, Frank, Verraes, Walter
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists 09-02-2004
• Subjects: Bones; Canals; Catfish; Holotypes; Polls; Ribs; Skull; Specimens; Swamps; Vertebrae
• ISSN: 0045-8511; 1938-5110
• DOI: 10.1643/CI-03-025R1

As a part of the general revision of anguilliform clariid genera and species, the status of Dolichallabes microphthalmus Poll, 1942, is reviewed, based on morphology and osteology of all available museum specimens. Dolichallabes microphthalmus, the most elongate species within the Clariidae, has been redescribed. Compared to Channallabesapus and Gymnallabestypus, D. microphthalmus is characterized by, in addition to some meristic differences, an elongate body, reduced skull ossification, with (1) one elongate fontanel, (2) antorbital and infraorbital IV the only circumorbital bones present, (3) only one or two suprapreopercular bones on each side, and (4) a sphenotic bearing only one process. Osteological evidence suggests that D. microphthalmus could be considered a paedomorphic clariid.