Osteology of Dactyloscopus tridigitatus (Dactyloscopidae: Blennioidei)
Doyle, K.D. (1998). Osteology of Dactyloscopus tridigitatus (Dactyloscopidae: Blennioidei). Bull. Mar. Sci. 63(1): 33-50
In: Bulletin of Marine Science. University of Miami Press: Coral Gables. ISSN 0007-4977; e-ISSN 1553-6955, more
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| Abstract |
The osteology of the common Caribbean sand stargazer Dactyloscopus tridigitatus (Dactyloscopidae: Blennioidei) is reviewed. Twenty-eight cleared and stained specimens were examined, ranging in standard length from 28.2 to 65.5 mm. The infraorbital bones, suspensorium, hyoid arch, pectoral girdle, and caudal skeleton exhibit considerable variation between specimens. In contrast, the neurocranium, branchial arches, and pelvic girdle were relatively conservative regions. Emphasis is placed on documenting variation that is potentially discrete. Such variation may reveal characters that are inappropriate indicators of phylogenetic relationship. |
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