Lutjanus dentatus
A West African snapper with disputed taxonomy and overexploited stocks.
The African brown snapper (Lutjanus dentatus) is a marine ray-finned fish in the snapper family Lutjanidae, found in the eastern Atlantic along the West African coast. Its scientific name, *dentatus*, means "toothed," a reference to its notably large teeth. The species was first described in 1861 by French zoologist Auguste Duméril as *Mesoprion dentatus*, based on a specimen from Gorée, Senegal. There is taxonomic uncertainty: a comparison of a vagrant cubera snapper from the Azores with a vagrant African brown snapper from Gran Canaria suggests they might be the same species, which would make *L. dentatus* a junior synonym of *L. cyanopterus*. Additionally, some authorities consider the little-known Guinea snapper (*Lutjanus endecacanthus*) synonymous with *L. dentatus*.
This snapper has a relatively deep body and a slightly rounded head, with a mouth extending to the center of the eye and thick lips. The notch and knob on the preoperculum are weak. Vomerine teeth form a triangular patch in adults and a chevron shape in juveniles, sometimes with a small rearward extension. The dorsal fin has 10 spines and 13–14 soft rays, while the anal fin has 3 spines and 8 soft rays. Pectoral fins, with 17 rays, do not reach the anus in adults. The maximum recorded total length is 150 cm (59 in), though 50 cm (20 in) is more typical, and the maximum published weight is 50 kg (110 lb). Adults have dusky grey backs and upper flanks, fading to whitish pink on the lower flanks and belly. Juveniles show alternating light and dark vertical bars of roughly equal width on their sides.
The species ranges along West Africa from Senegal to Angola, including Bioko and São Tomé and Príncipe, and has been recorded in the Canary Islands. It inhabits relatively shallow waters from 2 to 50 m (6.6 to 164 ft), typically over rocky and coral reefs, but also in brackish lagoons, mangroves, and occasionally rivers.
Little is known of its biology, though it feeds on smaller fish and crustaceans.
The African brown snapper is caught by commercial and artisanal fisheries, often alongside other snappers. It commands high prices but is less sought after than the African red snapper (*Lutjanus agennes*). Separate catch data for this species are not collected, but West African fish stocks are known to be overexploited.
Quick Facts
- Taxon
- Lutjanus dentatus
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The African brown snapper was first formally described in 1861 as Mesoprion dentatus by the French zoologist Auguste Duméril, with the type locality given as Gorée in Senegal. The specific name dentatus means 'toothed' and refers to the large teeth possessed by this species. An examination of a specimen of a vagrant cubera snapper (Lutjanus cyanopterus) from Flores Island in the Azores with a vagrant specimen of this species from Gran Canaria suggested that these may be conspecific; if that is the case, L. dentatus will be a junior synonym of L. cyanopterus. The little known Guinea snapper (Lutjanus endecacanthus) is considered by some authorities to be synonymous with L. dentatus.
The African brown snapper has a relatively deep body with a slightly rounded head. Its mouth extends as far as the centre line of the eye and has thick lips. The notch and knob on the preoperculum are weak. The vomerine teeth are arranged in a triangular patch in adults, chevron shaped in juveniles, and adults sometimes have a small rearwards extension. The dorsal fin contains 10 spines and 13-14 soft rays, while the anal fin has 3 spines and 8 soft rays. In adults the pectoral fins do not extend as far as the anus and contain 17 rays. The back and upper flanks of adults are dusky grey in colour fading to whiteish pink on the lower flanks and abdomen. Juveniles have alternating light and dark vertical bars of roughly equal widths on their flanks.
The species is found along the western coast of Africa from Senegal to Angola, including Bioko and São Tomé and Príncipe, and has occurred in the Canary Islands. It inhabits relatively shallow waters at depths between 2 and 50 m, normally over rocky and coral reefs, but also in brackish lagoons, mangroves, and occasionally in rivers. Its biology is little known, but it is known to feed on smaller fishes and crustaceans.
Reader's Guide
The African brown snapper is fished for by commercial fisheries, along with its congeners. Although it commands high prices, it is not as sought after as the African red snapper (Lutjanus agennes). Separate data is not collected on the catch of this species, but the fish stocks in West Africa are known to be overexploited. Both commercial trawlers and artisanal fishers fish for this species, and some of the catch is exported to Europe. It is also likely that spawning aggregations of snappers are being targeted. The IUCN classifies this species as Data Deficient because no separate data is available, but they do consider that because of intense fishing pressure and declines in all West African snapper stocks, it may actually be Near Threatened or Vulnerable. The taxonomic uncertainty surrounding this species—potential synonymy with the cubera snapper and Guinea snapper—adds complexity to its conservation assessment and management.
Did You Know?
- An examination of a vagrant cubera snapper from the Azores and a vagrant African brown snapper from Gran Canaria suggested they may be the same species.
- Juveniles have alternating light and dark vertical bars on their flanks, while adults are dusky grey and whiteish pink.
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