Morphology Data of Salvelinus alpinus
Identification keys
Abnormalities
Main Ref. Keith, P. and J. Allardi (coords.), 2001
Appearance refers to
Bones in OsteoBase

Sex attributes

Specialized organs
Different appearance
Different colors
Remarks

Descriptive characteristics of juvenile and adult

Striking features
Body shape lateral fusiform / normal
Cross section
Dorsal head profile
Type of eyes
Type of mouth/snout
Position of mouth
Type of scales
Diagnosis

Distinguished by the presence of 23 to 32 gill rakers, 37 to 75 pyloric caeca and, on the sides and back, pink to red spots, the largest of which are usually larger than the pupil of the eye (Ref. 27547). Lateral line curves slightly downward from the head (Ref. 27547). Pelvic fins with axillary process; caudal emarginate (Ref. 27547). Color highly variable, depending on location, time of year and degree of sexual development. In general, back is dark, usually rather brown but sometimes with a green cast; the sides are lighter, belly pale; sides and back are liberally sprinkled with pink to red spots, the largest spots along the lateral line usually larger than the pupil of the eye; forward edges of pectoral, pelvic and anal fins, and sometimes the caudal, with a narrow white margin; fins pale in young, dorsal and caudal dark in adults (Ref. 27547). Spawning adults, especially males, are brilliant orange-red to bright red on the ventral side and on the pectoral, pelvic and anal fins. Young have about 11 dark parr marks on each side (Ref. 27547). Caudal fin with 19 rays (Ref. 2196).

Ease of Identification

Meristic characteristics of Salvelinus alpinus

Lateral Lines Interrupted: No
Scales on lateral line 208 - 215
Pored lateral line scales 123 - 152
Scales in lateral series
Scale rows above lateral line 30 - 34
Scale rows below lateral line 28 - 34
Scales around caudal peduncle
Barbels
Gill clefts (sharks/rays only)
Gill rakers
on lower limb
on upper limb
total 20 - 32
Vertebrae
preanal
total 62 - 68

Fins

Dorsal fin(s)

Attributes
Fins number 1
Finlets No. Dorsal   0 - 0
Ventral  0 - 0
Spines total 4 - 5
Soft-rays total 8 - 16
Adipose fin present

Caudal fin

Attributes other (see remark)

Anal fin(s)

Fins number 1
Spines total 3 - 4
Soft-rays total 7 - 15

Paired fins

Pectoral Attributes  
Spines     1
Soft-rays   12 - 16
Pelvics Attributes  
Position    
Spines     2
Soft-rays   7 - 11
Main Ref. (e.g. 9948)
Glossary ( e.g. cephalopods )
Comments & Corrections
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