Synodontis xiphias

Taxonavigation

Taxonavigation: Siluriformes
Superregnum: Eukaryota Cladus: Unikonta Cladus: Opisthokonta Cladus: Holozoa Regnum: Animalia Subregnum: Eumetazoa Cladus: Bilateria Cladus: Nephrozoa Superphylum: Deuterostomia Phylum: Chordata Subphylum: Vertebrata Infraphylum: Gnathostomata Megaclassis: Osteichthyes Superclassis/Classis: Actinopterygii Classis/Subclassis: Actinopteri Subclassis/Infraclassis: Neopterygii Infraclassis: Teleostei Megacohors: Osteoglossocephalai Supercohors: Clupeocephala Cohors: Otomorpha Subcohors: Ostariophysi Sectio: Otophysa Ordo: Siluriformes

Familia: Mochokidae
Subfamilia: Mochokinae
Genus: Synodontis
Species: Synodontis xiphias

Name

Synodontis xiphias Günther, 1864

Holotype (unique): BMNH 1863.11.9.1 (dry).

Type locality: Niger, western Africa.

Etymology: The specific epithet xiphias is derived from the Latin word xiphias (= swordfish), which is derived from the Greek word xiphos (= sword). The preparated type of the species was built with an artefact in the snout, that forms it like a sword. Originally this species most probably doesn't show up such an extension.

Synonyms

Synodontis labeo Günther, 1865
?Synodontis courteti Pellegrin, 1906

References

Boulenger, G. A.; 1911: Catalogue of the fresh-water fishes of Africa in the British Museum (Natural History). London. 2: 1–529.
Günther, A.; 1864: Catalogue of the fishes in the British Museum. Catalogue of the Physostomi, containing the families Siluridae, Characinidae, Haplochitonidae, Sternoptychidae, Scopelidae, Stomiatidae in the collection of the British Museum. 5: 1–455.
Poll, M.; 1971: Révision des Synodontis Africains (Famille Mochocidae). Annales du Musee Royal de l'Afrique Centrale, Serie 8, Sciences Zoologiques, 191: 1–497.
Seegers, L.; 2008: Die Welse Afrikas. Ein Handbuch für Bestimmung und Pflege. Tetra Verlag, Berlin-Velten. / The catfishes of Africa. A handbook for identification and maintenance. Aqualog Verlag, Rodgau, Germany.
Synodontis xiphias in Catalog of Fishes, Eschmeyer, W.N., Fricke, R. & van der Laan, R. (eds.) 2024. Catalog of Fishes electronic version.