Diagnosis |
This species is distinguished by having spinous pterygiophore formula 3-123, 3-132, or 3-122 + 2. (here the 6th spine shares its interneural space with the 2 pterygiophores associated with the first 2 dorsal fin soft rays) (vs. 3-1221 or 3-12210 in other amblyopines); precaudal vertebrae 9 (vs. 10 ) (Ref. 43739).
Description: spinous elements of dorsal and anal fins are soft and flexible; spinous (first) and soft (second) dorsal fins connected by a membrane; anteriormost ray associated with 2 pterygiophores determined as first element of 'second dorsal fin'; a fibrous tissue is present at the base of dorsal and anal fins; anal fin height approximately equal to second dorsal fin height and anal fin membrane broadly joined with caudal fin; pectoral fin bent anteriorly crescent-shaped with dorsal-most rays about twice as long as ventralmost and all rays are segmented but unbranched; pelvic fin frenum present, the basal membrane uniting fins for almost entire length of innermost ray, it is slightly emarginate posteriorly; caudal fin with 9+8 segmented rays, 8+7 branched, procurrent rays absent, represented by ossified nubbins, two dorsally and one or two ventrally; no scales on head, cheeks, belly, and anterior 3/5 of body; cycloid scales only at posterior part of the body; tongue thick, tip rounded, free from floor of mouth; gape wide, mouth slightly oblique; eyes absent; cephalic sensory pores absent (Ref. 43739). |