Diagnosis and interrelationships of fishes of the genus Channa Scopoli (Teleostei: Channidae) of northeastern India

Authors

  • W. Vishwanath
  • Kh. Geetakumari

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11609/JoTT.o1788.97-105

Abstract

Diagnostic characters of nine species of the genus Channa Scopoli of northeastern India are given. Examination of morphological and osteological characters revealed that the fish under study comprised two phylectic groups: marulius and gachua. The Marulius group is characteristic by having a very prominent V-shaped sharp isthmus, cephalic sensory pores arranged in groups, absence of scales on the lower jaw, a sharp prominent spinelike hypurapophysis, more branchial toothplates than epibranchial, and an elongated urostyle. The Gachua group is characterized by a U-shaped isthmus, cephalic sensory pores evenly arranged in a single row, the presence of one or two large cycloid scales on each side of the lower jaw, absence of a sharp prominent spine-like hypurapophysis, absence or presence of one tooth plate in the epibranchial, and absence of an elongated urostyle. An elongated bone is present in between two last hemal spines of all species examined. A key to known species of Channa of northeastern India is also given

Author Biographies

W. Vishwanath

W. Vishwanath is a Professor in the Department of Life Sciences, Manipur University. His field of specialization is Fish and Fisheries. He is at present engaged in taxonomy and systematics of freshwater fishes of northeastern India.

Kh. Geetakumari

Kh. Geetakumari is a research scholar in the Department of Life Sciences, Manipur University. She is pursuing research in Phylogenetic studies of fishes belonging to the order Perciformes found in northeastern India under the supervision of Prof. W. Vishwanath.

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Published

26-02-2009

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 2 (2009)

Section

Articles

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