Polydactylus Explained

Polydactylus is a genus of threadfin that mainly are native to the Indian, Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, especially in coastal or brackish waters (such as mangrove or estuaries).^[1] Some may even enter rivers and a single, P. macrophthalmus, is a freshwater fish from rivers in Borneo.

Most species do not surpass 72abbr=onNaNabbr=on in standard length, but two can reach up to NaNm (-2,147,483,648feet).

Species

There are currently 21 species in the genus:

• Polydactylus approximans (Lay & Bennett, 1839) (Blue bobo)
• Polydactylus bifurcus Motomura, Kimura & Iwatsuki, 2001 (Slender fivefinger threadfin)
• Polydactylus longipes Motomura, Okamoto & Iwatsuki, 2001 (Long-limb threadfin)
• Polydactylus luparensis Lim, Motomura & Gambang, 2010 (Sarawak giant threadfin)
• Polydactylus macrochir (Günther, 1867) (King threadfin)
• Polydactylus macrophthalmus (Bleeker, 1858) (River threadfin)
• Polydactylus malagasyensis Motomura & Iwatsuki, 2001 (African blackspot threadfin)
• Polydactylus microstomus (Bleeker, 1851) (Smallmouth threadfin)
• Polydactylus mullani (Hora, 1926) (Arabian blackspot threadfin)
• Polydactylus multiradiatus (Günther, 1860) (Australian threadfin)
• Polydactylus nigripinnis Munro, 1964 (Blackfin threadfin)
• Polydactylus octonemus (Girard, 1858) (Atlantic threadfin)
• Polydactylus oligodon (Günther, 1860) (Littlescale threadfin)
• Polydactylus opercularis Seale & Bean, 1907 (Yellow bobo)
• Polydactylus persicus Motomura & Iwatsuki, 2001 (Persian blackspot threadfin)
• Polydactylus plebeius (Broussonet, 1782) (Striped threadfin)
• Polydactylus quadrifilis (Cuvier, 1829) (Giant African threadfin)
• Polydactylus sexfilis (Valenciennes, 1831) (Sixfinger threadfin)
• Polydactylus sextarius (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) (Blackspot threadfin)
• Polydactylus siamensis Motomura, Iwatsuki & Yoshino, 2001 (Largemouth striped threadfin)
• Polydactylus virginicus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Barbu)

The following fossil species are also known:^[2]

• †Polydactylus fossilis Daniltshenko, 1958 (Pliocene of Krasnodar, Russia)
• †Polydactylus frivolus Bannikov, 1989 (middle Miocene of North Caucasus, Russia)

Notes and References

1. Web site: FAO Fisheries & Aquaculture - Aquatic species.
2. Bannikov . A. F. . 1989 . Neogene dactylopterans (Teleostei, Polynemidae) of the USSR . Paleontological Journal . 23 . 4 . 124-129.