Comparative study on the cranial morphology of Gymnallabes typus (Siluriformes: Clariidae) and their less anguilliform relatives, Clariallabes melas and Clarias gariepinus

Journal of Morphology
Erik CabuyGuy G Teugels

Abstract

We compare the cranial morphology of four fish species with an increasing anguilliformism in the following order: Clarias gariepinus, Clariallabes melas, Gymnallabes typus, and Channallabes apus. The main anatomical-morphological disparities are the stepwise reduction of the skull roof along with the relative enlargement of the external jaw muscles, which occurred in each of them. Gymnallabes typus and C. apus lack a bony protection to cover the jaw muscles. The neurocranial bones of C. gariepinus, however, form a closed, broad roof, whereas the width of the neurocranium in C. melas is intermediate. Several features of the clariid heads, such as the size of the mouth and the bands of small teeth, may be regarded as adaptations for manipulating large food particles, which are even more pronounced in anguilliform clariids. The jaw musculature of G. typus is hypertrophied and attached on a higher coronoid process of the lower jaw, causing a larger adductive force. The hyomandibula interdigitates more strongly with the neurocranium and its dentition with longer teeth is posteriorly extended, closer to the lower jaw articulation. The anguilliform clariids also have their cranial muscles modified to enable a wider gape. The adductor ...Continue Reading

Citations

Sep 9, 2018·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Yuzo R YanagitsuruJames C Liao
Apr 15, 2006·Journal of Experimental Zoology. Part A, Comparative Experimental Biology·Sam Van WassenberghPeter Aerts
Jan 20, 2007·Journal of Morphology·Natalie De SchepperDominique Adriaens
Nov 3, 2010·Journal of Fish Biology·Y YamanoueK Matsuura
Jun 16, 2017·Ecology and Evolution·Sam Van WassenberghKrijn B Michel
Dec 16, 2006·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Sam Van WassenberghPeter Aerts
May 20, 2009·Developmental Biology·Masayoshi Tokita, Richard A Schneider

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