Mystus malabaricus, commonly known as the Jerdon's catfish or koori,[1] is a small to medium-sized freshwater fish of the family Bagridae found in the Western Ghats region of India.[3] They are endemic to the hilly streams of Western Ghats.[citation needed]

Mystus malabaricus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Siluriformes
Family: Bagridae
Genus: Mystus
Species:
M. malabaricus
Binomial name
Mystus malabaricus
(Jerdon, 1849)
Synonyms[2]
  • Bagrus malabaricus Jerdon, 1849
  • Hara malabarica (Jerdon, 1849)
  • Macrones malabaricus (Jerdon, 1849)

Etymology

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The generic epithet, Mystus, is probably derived from mystax (Greek; "whiskered", referring to the four pairs of barbels characteristic of the family). The specific epithet malabaricus refers to Malabar, region in southern India, where the type locality is situated.[4][5]

Ecology

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Members of this genus have been reported as facultative air-breathers.[6] M. malabaricus is amphidromous, meaning they migrate to brackish waters for purposes other than breeding. They have demersal habit,[4] found in shallow hill streams with rocky bottom.[citation needed]

Description and diagnosis

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Nasal barbels never reach occiput, it reaches a middle point between occiput and orbit; outer mandibulars reach to tip of pectorals; occipital process connected to dorsal front by an interneural shield; tip of rayed dorsal reaches to base of adipose dorsal front; any other fins touch each other; dorsal spine smooth both internally and externally; anal fin inserted considerably behind anal opening; upper caudal lobe longer than lower one. Sensory organs distinctly seen on lateral line. Color: body greenish; eyes blackish blue.[citation needed]

Diagnosis

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Body elongate; dorsal and ventral profiles nearly straight; maxillary barbels reach to middle or end of pelvic fins; cephalic fontanel single, shallow and never reach to occiput; occipital process short and it do not reach dorsal front; the former cannot be seen externally as predorsal region is covered by a thick layer of flesh; caudal lobes rounded.[citation needed]

Other species from the region include (list incomplete)[7] -

  • Mystus montanus (Jerdon, 1849) ; TL - Mananthawady, Wayanad
  • Mystus armatus (Day 1895) ; TL - 'Cochin Malabar'- Trichur
  • Mystus oculatus (Valenciennes 1840) ; TL - Kuttiady, Malabar
  • Mystus sengtee (Sykes 1839) TL- Dukhun, India

Distribution

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M. malabaricus has been reported from the Western Ghats across Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu[citation needed] and Maharashtra.[4] The type locality is assigned as "mountain streams of Malabar" by Jerdon[8]

References

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  1. ^ a b Abraham, R. (2020) [errata version of 2011 assessment]. "Mystus malabaricus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2011: e.T172343A174791134. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-1.RLTS.T172343A174791134.en. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  2. ^ "Mystus malabaricus (Jerdon, 1849)". Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  3. ^ "Mystus malabaricus (Jerdon, 1849) | Species". India Biodiversity Portal. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  4. ^ a b c "Mystus malabaricus : fisheries". www.fishbase.se. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  5. ^ "PlanetCatfish.com - Mystus malabaricus (Bagridae) Cat-eLog". www.planetcatfish.com. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  6. ^ "References", Air-Breathing Fishes, Elsevier, pp. 265–288, 1997, doi:10.1016/b978-012294860-2/50011-8, ISBN 978-0-12-294860-2, retrieved 2024-08-30
  7. ^ "Fish Identification". fishbase.de. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  8. ^ Madras Literary Society. Madras Journal of Literature and Science. London Natural History Museum Library. Colombo: Madras Literary Society.