Morphology data of Chaetopleura gemma
Identification keys
Main Ref. Burghardt, G. and L. Burghardt, 2006
Appearance refers to

Sex attributes

specialized organs
different appearance
different colors
remarks

Descriptive characteristics of juvenile and adult

Striking features
Body shape lateral
Cross section
Dorsal head profile
Type of eyes
Type of mouth/snout
Position of mouth
Diagnosis Body: Elongate oval. Tegmentum color: Variable, may be orange, dark red, greyish brown, with or without large patches of black; Some brightly colored specimens have tail valves that are completely black. Sculpture: Radiating, often branching rows of large granules on the head valve (30-36 rows) and lateral areas (5-8), the rows usually not reaching the apex. Central areas: Fine, close-set lines of granules, the lines becoming larger and further apart towards the outer margins of the valves. Postmucronal area: Scarce, scattered granules. Mucro: Submedian in younger specimens; subterminal in full-grown specimens. Girdle: Rather narrow, evenly orange-brown or greyish brown; with spicules of varying types and sizes; a marginal fringe of straight spicules (290). Valves: Range from bright orange with black tail valve (and white spot) to ashy green with same markings (Ref. 296).
Ease of Identification

Meristic characteristics of Chaetopleura gemma

Lateral Lines Interrupted: No
Scales on lateral line
Pored lateral line scales
Scales in lateral series
Scale rows above lateral line
Scale rows below lateral line
Scales around caudal peduncle
Barbels
Gill clefts (sharks/rays only)
Gill rakers
on lower limb
on upper limb
total
Vertebrae
preanal
total

Fins

Dorsal fin(s)

Attributes
Fins number
Finlets No. Dorsal   
Ventral  
Spines total
Soft-rays total
Adipose fin

Caudal fin

Attributes

Anal fin(s)

Fins number
Spines total
Soft-rays total

Paired fins

Pectoral Attributes  
spines     
soft-rays   
Pelvics Attributes  
Position    
spines     
soft-rays   
Main Ref. (e.g. 9948)
Glossary (e.g. cnidaria)
Comments & Corrections
Back to Search