On morphology and taxonomy of scophthalmids
Abstract
Comparative study of representatives of the family Scophthalmidae was performed. The topography of head sensory canals was studied; some osteological specific features and data on pyloric caeca were specified; and the presence of an outgrowth of operculum pupillare in several species was described. The found differences have different level of taxonomic significance; the most informative is the structure of the seismosensory system, in whose specific features a vector of reduction trend of evolutionary transformations is traced. On the whole, its structure agrees with present concepts of the group phylogeny. The genus Scophthalmus is characterized by the greatest number of plesiomorphies. No differences were found between the Atlantic and Black Sea representatives of the species S. maximus. Lophopsetta aquosa is considerably separated by reduction of the infraorbital canal of the eyed side. The similarity of Z. regius and Z. punctatus and the difference of both species from Phrynorhombus norvegicus support assigning Z. regius to the genus Zeugopterus. P. norvegicus is characterized by several apomorphies, which provides the given taxon the most advanced position in the family.
- Publication:
-
Journal of Ichthyology
- Pub Date:
- November 2010
- DOI:
- Bibcode:
- 2010JIch...50..695V
- Keywords:
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- morphology;
- taxonomy;
- seismosensory system;
- operculum pupillare;
- pyloric caeca;
- scales of lateral line;
- Scophthalmidae