Classification                    

So where did the name Synchiropus splendidus come from? Synchiropus is derived from the Greek language. Syn- means together and –chiropus means hand-foot. Splendidus is derived from the Latin language and has root meanings tracing back to the word splendid (Encyclopedia of Life).

Common Names: S. splendidus is often referred to as the mandarinfish (Encyclopedia of Life). This organism commonly gets confused with the mandarin fish, the freshwater Chinese perch, Siniperca chuatsi. Both species have similar common names, the only difference being the space between the two words. However, they have very different scientific names and come from different families, genus and species.
 
Taxonomy (Encyclopedia of Life)
Domain: Eukarya
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Callionymidae
Genus: Synchiropus
Species: Synchiropus splendidus

 
Synchiropus slendidus is a member of the domain Eukaraya because its cell contain a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

Synchiropus slendidus is placed in the kingdom Animalia because it is a multicellular eukaryotic organism that is bilaterally symmetrical, and heterotrophic. It also lacks a cell wall,is a deutrostome, and is motile during its lifetime. Other organisms in this kingdom include the eastern forestfly, jaguar, and giant squid.
 
Synchiropus slendidus belongs to the phylum Chordata because it has the synapomorphies of the dorsal nerve cord, notochord and post-anal tail (University of California Museum of Palentology). Other organisms in this phylum include the sea otter, great white shark, and orca whale.
 
Synchiropus slendidus belongs to the class Actinopterygii because it has the synapomorphies of only a single dorsal fin present and fin rays (University of Maryland Department of Geology). Other organisms in this class include the humpback anglerfish and devil firefish.
 
Synchiropus slendidus belongs to the order Perciformes because it has the synapomorphies of pelvic fins with fewer than six soft rays, and scales are usually ctenoid (Johnson and Wiley 2007). Other organisms in this class include the ocellaris clownfish and bluegill.

Synchriopus splendidus belongs to the family Callionymidae because they have the synapomorphies of a strong preocuple spine, four dorsal fin spines, and 4-10 anal soft rays (Fish Base 2011).

Synchriopus splendidus belongs to the genus Synchiropus because it is a dragonet that is found mainly in tropical waters. There are 51 known species known to belong to this genus  (Fish Base 2011).

At the last taxnonomy level, is the species. Its species name is S. splendidus. The mandarinfish's bright colors and blue pigment set it apart from other species, along with the thick mucous that is secreted from their skin.

Figure 1. Phylogenetic tree featuring the Callionymidae family taken from plos.org. The mandarinfish is a part of the Callionymidae family as you can see has a number of members. The tree features a variety of ray-fanned fish which are closely releated Syngnathiformes.

Figure 2. Phylogenetic tree featuring the Actinoopterygii class.

If you would like to see more fish phylogenies click here!

Next learn more about the mandarinfish's habitat!

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