Vol. 40 No. 4, 2001

Nasal-sinus Papillae of Hagfishes and Their Taxonomic Implications

Hin-Kiu Mok

Institute of Marine Biology, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan 80424

Hin-Kiu Mok (2001) Either a single medial papilla, two medial papillae placed anteroposteriorly, or a pair of bilaterally symmetric papillae mostly supported by cartilage occur in the inner dorsal surface of the nasal sinus near the apex in almost all members of the Myxininae, some species of Eptatretus, and Paramyxine cheni.  A ventral median papilla on the floor of the nasal sinus also occurs in Neomyxine biniplicata, Nemamyxine elongata, and a few Eptatretus and Paramyxine species.  The membrane on the nasal-sinus floor exhibits various degrees of tightness among hagfish genera. The gross morphology and distribution of these medial and bilateral papillae on the roof and folds and papillae on the floor of the nasal sinus in the family Myxinidae are described and reported. The taxonomic implications of these structures in the nasal sinus are discussed.

Key words: Myxinidae, Papillae, Nasal sinus.

*Correspondence: E-mail: hinkiu@faculty.nsysu.edu.tw