Synodontis "sex" on Catalog of Fishes

lfinley58 · Post by **lfinley58** » 29 Jun 2007, 13:58

Hi All.

I have just noted on the CAS Catalog of Fishes, as of 6/19/07, that the genus name Synodontis is now noted to be feminine. The same is also seen for Hemisynodontis, Brachysynodontis and Microsynodontis.

Lee

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 29 Jun 2007, 14:06

I think this is based on Carl J Ferreira's "Checklist of Catfishes" that was published earlier this year. [Although I guess that's just repeating what someone else wrote in the early 1900's or something, and then got lost and forgotten].

--
Mats

lfinley58 · Post by **lfinley58** » 29 Jun 2007, 15:13

Hi MatsP,

Yes, William Eschmeyer does reference Carl's checklist as a source, especially as to how the designation of feminine usage affects the spelling of various species names.

As you note the topic situation of whether Synodontis should be regarded as masculine or feminine has been kicking around for a long time.

Lee