Synodontis
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| Synodontis Fossil range: Early Miocene - Recent |
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| Silurus clarias Linnaeus, 1758 |
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Synodontis is the largest genus of catfishes (order Siluriformes) of the family Mochokidae. Synodontis may be known as squeakers due to their ability to make stridulatory sounds through their pectoral fin spines when handled or disturbed.[1] Some species are also known for naturally swimming belly-up, earning the name upside-down catfish.[1]
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[edit] Distribution
Synodontis is the most widely-distributed mochokid genus. Synodontis species occur throughout most of the freshwaters of sub-Saharan Africa and the Nile River system.[1] Synodontis species are found throughout Africa, except in the southernmost parts and the Maghreb, although most species occur in Central and West Africa. Their distribution is similar to that of cichlids, including the African Great Lakes and surrounding rivers.[2]
It has been found that East African Synodontis species form a monophyletic group derived than the Central and West African species. The East African clade includes six lineages: S. zambensis; S. nigromaculata; S. victoriae in Lake Victoria; S. njassae in Lake Malawi; S. granulosa and S. multipunctata in Lake Tanganyika; and S. dhonti, S. polli, and an undescribed species, also in Lake Tanganyika.[2] Synodontis spread into East Africa prior to the formation of the African Great Lakes. The ancestral, colonizing species would have split into these six separate lineages within a relatively short period of time; later, these lineages may have diversified further.[2]
[edit] Fossil record
The earliest fossils of Synodontis in East African are from the Early Miocene.[2]
[edit] Description
These fish are small- to medium-sized fish.[3]
[edit] Ecology
Synodontis species are omnivorous generalists, feeding on a wide spectrum of different foods and are largely unspecialized. They are bottom-feeders and may be detrivores, some species may also be able to adapt to filter feeding.[3] This allows them to cope with seasonal and habitat changes and gives them a better ability to colonize different habitats.[2] Species of Synodontis have been noted to reproduce with the flooding period of the rainy season.[3]
[edit] Relationship to humans
Larger Synodontis species are important as seafood. Many Synodontis species are also prized ornamental fish in the fishkeeping hobby.[1]
[edit] Species
Synodontis includes about 120 species.[1] Synodontis accounts for about one-quarter of African catfish species.[2] This genus has more members than any other African teleost genus other than Barbus and Haplochromis.[3]
The species list below is according to Ferraris, 2007; a number of species have been changed to fit the feminine gender of the genus.[4] Newer species are listed with references.
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[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e f Friel, John P.; Vigliotta, Thomas R. (2006). "Synodontis acanthoperca, a new species from the Ogôoué River system, Gabon with comments on spiny ornamentation and sexual dimorphism in mochokid catfishes (Siluriformes: Mochokidae)" (PDF). Zootaxa 1125: 45–56.
- ^ a b c d e f Koblmüller, Stephan; Sturmbauer, Christian; Verheyen, Erik; Meyer, Axel; Salzburger, Walter (2006). "{{{title}}}". BMC Evolutionary Biology 6 (49): 1–16. doi:.
- ^ a b c d Lalèyè, Philippe; Chikou, Antoine; Gnohossou, Pierre; Vandewalle, Pierre, Philippart, Jean Claude; Teugels, Guy (July 2006). "Studies on the biology of two species of catfish Synodontis schall and Synodontis nigrita (Ostariophysi : Mochokidae) from the Ouémé River, Bénin" (PDF). Belg. J. Zool. 136 (2): 193–201.
- ^ Ferraris, Carl J., Jr. (2007). "Checklist of catfishes, recent and fossil (Osteichthyes: Siluriformes), and catalogue of siluriform primary types" (PDF). Zootaxa 1418: 1–628.
- ^ a b c Wright & Page (2006). "Taxonomic revision of lake tanganyikan Synodontis (Siluriformes: Mochokidae)". Bulletin of the Florida Museum of Natural History 46 (4): 99–154.
