Synodontis

Synodontis
Temporal range: Early Miocene–Recent
Synodontis njassae
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Siluriformes
Family: Mochokidae
Genus: Synodontis
G. Cuvier, 1816
Type species
Silurus clarias
Synonyms
  • Leiosynodontis Bleeker, 1862
  • Pseudosynodontis Bleeker, 1862

Synodontis is the largest genus of mochokid catfishes. It is the biggest genus within the 10 genera and 190 different species in the family Mochokidae.[1] Synodontis has over 131 different species within the genus.[2] Synodontis are also known as squeakers, due to their ability to make stridulatory sounds through their pectoral fin spines when handled or disturbed.[3] Synodontis make a sound that sounds like squeaking by rubbing their spines together. They do this when they have been frightened or when they become angry.[2] Synodontis may also squeak when they are taken out of the water.[1] These catfish are small- to medium-sized fish[4] with many species exhibiting attractive spotted markings. Some species are also known for naturally swimming belly-up, earning the name upside-down catfish.[3] Some of these species are Synodontis contractus and Synodontis nigriventris. While some of these species are known to swim upside down, another species, Synodontis multipunctatus, is a brood parasitic cuckoo catfish,there are two other species Synodontis petricola and Synodontis grandiops are also called brood parasitic cuckoo catfish.[1]

  1. ^ a b c Stephan Koblmüller; Christian Sturmbauer; Erik Verheyen; Axel Meyer & Walter Salzburger (2006). "Mitochondrial phylogeny and phylogeography of East African squeaker catfishes (Siluriformes: Synodontis)". BMC Evolutionary Biology. 6 (1): 49. Bibcode:2006BMCEE...6...49K. doi:10.1186/1471-2148-6-49. PMC 1543664. PMID 16784525.
  2. ^ a b John P. Friel & Thomas R. Vigliotta (March 2, 2009). "Mochokidae Jordan 1923: African squeaker and suckermouth catfishes". Tree of Life Web Project. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
  3. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Friel was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference Laleye was invoked but never defined (see the help page).