Journal Article
The cephalic lateral-line system of Characiformes (Teleostei: Ostariophysi): anatomy and phylogenetic implications
Pastana, M.N.L., Bockmann, F.A. and Datovo, A.
Record Number:
4459
Year:
2019
Journal:
Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society
Abstract:
The lateral-line system has been traditionally recognized as an important source of phylogenetic information for
different groups of fishes. Although extensively studied in Siluriformes and Cypriniformes, the lateral-line system
of Characiformes remained underexplored. In the present study, the anatomy of the cephalic lateral-line canals
of characiforms is described in detail and a unifying terminology that considers the ontogeny and homologies of
the components of this system is offered. Aspects of the arrangement of lateral-line canals, as well as the number,
location and size of canal tubules and pores, resulted in the identification of novel putative synapomorphies for
Characiformes and several of its subgroups. The study also revised synapomorphies previously proposed for different
characiform families and provided comments on their observed distribution across the order based on extensive
taxon sampling. Information from the ontogenetic studies of the cephalic lateral-line canal system and a proposal
for the proper use of these data to detect truncations in the development of the lateral-line canals across the order
is also offered.
ADDITIONAL KEYWORDS: craniofacial – dermal bones – fishes – homology – lateral line – ontogeny – phylogeny.
Times Cited:
3