Preliminary results of a morphological study of five African species of the subgenusClarias(Clarias) (Pisces; Clariidae)

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Abstract
The results of a morphological study on five nominal species of the subgenus Clarias (Clarias) show clearly that two, C. lazera and C. mossambicus, are synonyms of C. gariepinus (Burchell 1822). Clarias anguillaris is recognized as a valid species, with C. senegalensis as its junior synonym. The subgenus Clarias (Clarias) composed of the species considered here, appears to be a ‘homogeneous’ group on the basis of the head length, the heavily ossified cranium, the pectoral spine serrations etc. (see David 1935). To what extent these characters can be regarded as signifying a monophylectic assemblage and how this assemblage may be related to other clariid groups, must await the results of a further study now being undertaken.