The Guinean bichir (Polypterus ansorgii) is a ray-finned fish from rivers and other freshwater habitats in Western Africa, ranging from Guinea-Bissau to Nigeria.[3] It reaches a maximum length of 72 cm (28 in),[3] is greenish-brown to black in color, and has large, dark spots and blotches on its sides. On mature specimens, the bottom jaw may protrude very slightly. It is similar to some other bichirs with which it can be confused.[2]

Guinean bichir
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Polypteriformes
Family: Polypteridae
Genus: Polypterus
Species:
P. ansorgii
Binomial name
Polypterus ansorgii

Named in honor of explorer William John Ansorge (1850-1913), who collected type specimen.[4]

References

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  1. ^ Olaosebikan, B.D. & Lalèyè, P. (2010). "Polypterus ansorgii". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2010: e.T182411A7880281. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T182411A7880281.en.
  2. ^ a b Evans, Sean. "Polypterus ansorgii". Polypterus.info. Archived from the original on 2012-09-08. Retrieved 2008-05-05.
  3. ^ a b Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Polypterus ansorgii". FishBase. January 2010 version.
  4. ^ Christopher Scharpf & Kenneth J. Lazara (22 September 2018). "Order POLYPTERIFORMES (Bichirs)". The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database. Christopher Scharpf and Kenneth J. Lazara. Archived from the original on 11 October 2021. Retrieved 28 February 2021.