Typhleotris Mararybe

📖 Overview

Blind, cave-dwelling species; the known habitat, Grotte de Vitane, is a karst formation with nearly vertical walls, whose water level at the time of collection was approximately 10-15 m below the rim; the diameter of the sinkhole was approximately 100 m across at its widest, and 70 m at its narrowest, with more or less shear walls; the heigth of the sinkhole walls to the water level was approximately 50 m on its southern end, and much shallower on the northern end . The water was relatively clear, deep, and warm, about 7.5-10 m deep on average; occurs in open water within 1–1.5 m of the surface; upon being chased, all individuals immediately dove toward the bottom .

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 5; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 8; Vertebrae: 26. Diagnosis: This species is characterized by uniformly dark brown pigmentation throughout the body, and extending onto the fins for 1/3 of their length; only the distal 2/3 of each fin lacks pigment, apart from the dorsal fins, which are dark brown . In addition, Typhleotris mararybe can be distinguished from congeners by the presence of prominent and protruding anterior skeletal elements: protruding lateral ethmoid, sphenotic, and pterotic projections, in combination with a strongly sunken and concave orbital region, lend the head a sculpted and angled bony appearance, particularly in dorsal view; a shorter pectoral fin not reaching a vertical through the anus when adpressed; and an elevated vertebral count . It is further distinguished from T. madagascariensis by the absence of scales fully covering the head and a longer second predorsal length (64.9-69.0% of standard length vs. 56.2-64.1% of standard length); and from T. pauliani by a shorter prepelvic length (33.0-33.9% of standard length vs. 34.1-40.4% of standard length), a pelvic formula of I,5, and the absence of a single leading spine in both the second dorsal and anal fins . : elongated.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Typhleotris Mararybe is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

🥚 Reproduction

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; demersal. Tropical known only from Grotte de Vitane, a sinkhole near the town of Itampolo, Madagascar (Ref.

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

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