The hyobranchial apparatus of teleostean fishes of the families Engraulidae and Chirocentridae. American Museum novitates ; no. 2410

Abstract

"This study completes a review of hyobranchial structure for Recent fishes of the order Clupeifromes. Its results support previously suggested phyletic trends involving reduction in number of branchiostegal rays, reduction and loss of gill-arch dentition, and elaboration of epibranchial organs within clupeiform fishes. Certain advanced characters of the gill arches characterize some of the major groups of Cluepiformes. On this basis it has been possible to arrive at a more precise conception of the interrelationships of these major groups. One result has been the splitting off of the Pristigasteridae from the Clupeidae. The problem of subdividing the families Engraulidae and Clupeidae is discussed from the standpoint of gill-arch structure"--P. 27.