Vol. 43 No. 4, 2004
Review
of the Teleostean Adductor Mandibulae and Its Significance to the
Systematic Positions of the Polymixiiformes, Lampridiformes, and
Triacanthoidei
Kao-yi Wu* and Shih-chieh Shen
Department of Zoology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan 106
Kao-yi Wu and Shih-chieh Shen (2004) Divisions
of the adductor mandibulae among a wide spectrum of teleostei were
surveyed. Feeding habits do not generally dominate the number or nature
of divisions of the adductor mandibulae. This muscle is innervated by
the ramus mandibularis V, which is a reliable character for identifying
divisions, which were redefined on this basis. Section A2β of the
adductor mandibulae inserts into the Meckelian fossa, and connects with
section Aw. The ramus mandibularis V always lies lateral to section
A2β, and enters the Meckelian fossa together with it. Sections named
A1β vary among teleosteans and are not always homologous. In the
Clupeomorpha, Cyprinidae, Mugilomorpha, Atherinomorpha, and
Percomorpha, the adductor mandibulae shows consistent and stable
subdivisions. Divisions of the adductor mandibulae also support the
Mugilomorpha and Atherinomorpha being sister groups. An A1+A2α division
is found in the Percomorpha, Lampridiformes, and Polymixiiformes.
Another particular configuration of A1 and A2α is found in the
Triacanthoidei and Percoidei. The synapomorphic characters in the past
literature for supporting Acanthomorpha and Percomorpha were revised,
and these show large amounts of homoplasy.
Key words: Teleostei, Adductor Mandibulae, Systematics, Percomorpha, Triacanthoidei.
*Correspondence:

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