A hardy, "primitive" fish with paddle-like pectoral fins used for slow, deliberate locomotion, and a pair of primitive lungs that allow it to gulp atmospheric air in addition to respiring through its gills. Two subspecies are widely recognised: P. s. senegalus and the "giant" subspecies, P. s. meridionalis, which grows considerably larger and has a heavier body than the nominate form. A possible third, as yet unnamed, population from the Nile River has also been proposed, but it has not been formally described.
Category: All Others
Global Region: Africa
Distribution:
groverlee: Polypterus senegalus