Hypsidoris farsonensis

[Silurus]

The latest image of this species in the Cat-eLog is not a siluriform at all.

Looks like a cypriniform fossil to me.

[Richard B]

Really??? - this image was taken last week at the American Museum of Natural History - i would have hoped they would get things correct

[Silurus]

Hypsidoris would have a dorsal spine, but I fail to see a dorsal spine on the fossil. The dorsal fin is also set too far back on the body for Hypsidoris (compare with http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/im ... ge_id=4238 and you can see the the dorsal fin is set very close behind the skull, as with many catfishes). Also, the fish looks like the body is compressed in life (and not depressed as in a catfish).

[Silurus]

Anyways, this is a photo of the only fossil catfish on display (IIRC) when I visited the AMNH in 2003 (don't remember if it was H. farsonensis).

[Richard B]

This is the accompanying info - does it help at all to unravel this (the graphic shows the dorsal way back on the body)
http://s621.photobucket.com/albums/tt29 ... age018.jpg

[Silurus]

Interestingly, the fossil in my photo has the same number as the label (35). I assume that the exhibit has not been changed in 6 years?

I don't think the reconstruction of Hypsidoris on the label is very accurate for that matter.

The info on the label is also not quite correct. Modern catfishes are not toothless - they just have a toothless maxilla (upper jaw bone), which has been converted to a barbel support. Hypsidoris has a toothed maxilla.

[Jools]

Richard,

I told you it looked nothing like my one! I agree with Silurus that it must be a cock up at the museum. If you want to be 100%, you could drop the museum a line meantime I think I will move the image.

Jools

[Richard B]

Richard,

I told you it looked nothing like my one! I agree with Silurus that it must be a cock up at the museum. If you want to be 100%, you could drop the museum a line meantime I think I will move the image.

Jools

I may well do! - The only catfish encountered on my holiday & it causes confusion & controversy aplenty

I'll keep you posted.

Richard

[Jools]

Image removed.

Jools