bichir

bichir
/bich"euhr/, n.
any of several primitive freshwater African fishes of the genus Polypterus having functional lungs as well as gills.
[‡1965-70; < F < dial. Ar abu shir]

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▪ fish
also called  lobefin,  

      any of about 10 species of tropical African fishes of the genus Polypterus. Bichirs and the eel-like reedfish, Calamoichthys (sometimes called Erpetoichthys calabaricus), are of the family Polypteridae, order Polypteriformes. Like the sturgeons and paddlefishes, they are thought to be members of the subclass Chondrostei, although some authorities question this.

      Bichirs are about 0.6 to 0.9 m (2 to 3 feet) long and prey on worms, small fishes, and other animals. They apparently spawn in swamps during floods. They have fleshy lobes in the pectoral fins, thick ganoid (hard, rhombic, enameled) scales, and functional lungs. The dorsal fin is a series of sharp spines, each with a flaglike end cluster of fin rays. The bichir is eaten in some areas.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • Bichir — Bi*chir , n. [Native name.] (Zo[ o]l.) A remarkable ganoid fish ({Polypterus bichir}) found in the Nile and other African rivers. See {Brachioganoidei}. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Bichir — For the Lebanese Mexican family, see Bichir family. Bichirs Temporal range: Cretaceous–Recent …   Wikipedia

  • bichir — /ˈbiʃə/ (say beeshuh) noun (plural bichir or bichirs) a large primitive, bony, freshwater fish, Polypterus bichir, found in the upper Nile and in certain neighbouring waters. {French, from Arabic abu shīr} Usage: For variation in the plural… …  

  • bichir — nilinis daugiapelekis statusas T sritis zoologija | vardynas taksono rangas rūšis atitikmenys: lot. Polypterus bichir angl. bichir rus. бишир; нильский многопёр ryšiai: platesnis terminas – paprastieji daugiapelekiai …   Žuvų pavadinimų žodynas

  • bichir — ˈbichə(r) noun ( s) Etymology: French : a large primitive fish (Polypterus bichir) of the order Cladistia found in the upper Nile and certain neighboring waters and esteemed as food …   Useful english dictionary

  • Bichir family — The Bichir family (Arabic,بشير) is a prominent Mexican family of entertainers of Lebanese origin.Prominent members are: *Alejandro Bichir, an actor *Marisol Nájera, an actress wife of AlejandroAnd their three sons, referred to as the Bichir… …   Wikipedia

  • Bichir brothers —    although they haven t reached the status of the Soler brothers, the three Bichir brothers have had a significant impact in Mexican film, television and theater of the 90s    see Bichir, Demián, Bichir, Bruno, Bichir, Odiseo …   Biographical Dictionary of Mexican Film Performers

  • Bichir, Odiseo — (1962 )    Oldest of the three sons of actress Maricruz Nájera and stage director Alejandro Bichir. Has appeared in films but seems to concentrate more on the stage than either of his brothers, who work more frequently in films and TV …   Biographical Dictionary of Mexican Film Performers

  • bichir — noun /ˈbiːtʃər,bɪˈʃiːr,ˈbɪtʃər/ A group of ray finned fish of the family Polypteridae in the order Polypteriformes …   Wiktionary

  • bichir — n. any of many freshwater ganoid fish with functional lungs and gills found in the Nile and other rivers in Africa …   English contemporary dictionary

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