The gustatory stalk of the Remo flounder exemplifies how complex evolutionary novelties may arise.

The appearance of evolutionary novelties is a central issue in biology. Since Darwin's theory, difficulties in explaining how novel intricate body parts arose have often been used by creationists and other deniers to challenge evolution. Here, we describe the gustatory stalk of the Remo flounder (Oncopterus darwinii), an anatomically and functionally complex organ presumably used as a chemoreceptor probe to detect prey buried in the substrate.

A new gelatinous host for pelagic fishes: First in situ record of an association between driftfishes (Stromateiformes, Ariommatidae) and nudibranchs (Mollusca, Phylliroidae).

We describe the first recorded association between fishes and nudibranchs in epipelagic waters. In situ observations and photographs of a juvenile spotted driftfish Ariomma regulus (Stromateiformes; Ariommatidae) swimming alongside the planktonic nudibranch Phylliroe lichtensteinii (Gastropoda; Phylliroidae) were made during blackwater scuba dives off Palm Beach, Florida, United States of America. In this paper, we describe this behavior, highlighting a previously undocumented zooplanktonic host used by fishes.

The importance of the appendicular skeleton for the phylogenetic reconstruction of lamniform sharks (Chondrichthyes: Elasmobranchii).

Lamniform sharks are one of the more conspicuous groups of elasmobranchs, including several emblematic taxa as the white shark. Although their monophyly is well supported, the interrelationships of taxa within Lamniformes remains controversial because of the conflict among various previous molecular-based and morphology-based phylogenetic hypotheses. In this study, we use 31 characters related to the appendicular skeleton of lamniforms and demonstrate their ability to resolve the systematic interrelationships within this shark order.

NEOTROPICAL FRESHWATER FISHES: A dataset of occurrence and abundance of freshwater fishes in the Neotropics.

The Neotropical region hosts 4225 freshwater fish species, ranking first among the world's most diverse regions for freshwater fishes. Our NEOTROPICAL FRESHWATER FISHES data set is the first to produce a large-scale Neotropical freshwater fish inventory, covering the entire Neotropical region from Mexico and the Caribbean in the north to the southern limits in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. We compiled 185,787 distribution records, with unique georeferenced coordinates, for the 4225 species, represented by occurrence and abundance data.

The critical role of natural history museums in advancing eDNA for biodiversity studies: a case study with Amazonian fishes.

Ichthyological surveys have traditionally been conducted using whole-specimen, capture-based sampling with varied but conventional fishing gear. Recently, environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding has emerged as a complementary, and possible alternative, approach to whole-specimen methodologies. In the tropics, where much of the diversity remains undescribed, vast reaches continue unexplored, and anthropogenic activities are constant threats; there have been few eDNA attempts for ichthyological inventories.

A reappraisal of the pectoral skeleton of lantern sharks (Elasmobranchii: Squaliformes: Etmopteridae).

The morphology of the articular region of the pectoral girdle and associated basals in Etmopteridae is revised in light of new evidence provided by taxa unavailable for previous studies. Such studies considered that etmopterids plesiomorphically had a single pectoral articular condyle, and only Etmopterus had two separate ones. Our reanalysis indicates that the possession of two separate condyles, one for the articulation of the propterygium and the second for the meso- and metapterygium, is the most widespread condition in this group.

A new species of sexually dimorphic and rheophilic ghost knifefish (Apteronotidae: Gymnotiformes) from the Amazon basin.

A new species of ghost knifefish, Apteronotus, is described from high-energy environments in the Rios Mapuera and Trombetas (at Cachoeira Porteira waterfalls), Brazil. X-ray microcomputed tomography (μCT scan) was used to access the internal anatomy of the type series. The new species is distinguished from all congeners by the anteriormost position of the anus, with its posterior margin extending less than one eye diameter beyond the vertical through the caudal limit of the posterior nostril, the low number of anal-fin rays (117-125) and the reduced number of branchiostegal rays (three).

Anatomy and evolution of the pectoral filaments of threadfins (Polynemidae).

The most remarkable anatomical specialization of threadfins (Percomorphacea: Polynemidae) is the division of their pectoral fin into an upper, unmodified fin and a lower portion with rays highly modified into specialized filaments. Such filaments are usually elongate, free from interradial membrane, and move independently from the unmodified fin to explore the environment. The evolution of the pectoral filaments involved several morphological modifications herein detailed for the first time.

Anatomy and ontogenetic changes of the facial and gular musculature of the tetra Astyanax brucutu: A remarkable case of adaptation to durophagy.

Astyanax brucutu is a peculiar species of Neotropical tetra endemic from the Chapada Diamantina, a large plateau in northeastern Brazil. Individuals of this species undergo a dramatic ontogenetic shift in their diet that is accompanied by equally remarkable changes in their feeding apparatus. Whereas juveniles of A.

Facial and gill musculature of polynemid fishes, with notes on their possible relationships with sciaenids (Percomorphacea: Perciformes).

The Polynemidae is a family of primarily marine fishes with eight genera and 42 extant species. Many aspects of their morphology are largely unknown, with few reports about their osteology and barely any information on their myology. This paper describes and illustrates in detail all facial and branchial muscles of representative species of polynemids.

Phylogenomic analysis of trichomycterid catfishes (Teleostei: Siluriformes) inferred from ultraconserved elements.

The family Trichomycteridae is one of the most diverse groups of freshwater catfishes in South and Central America with eight subfamilies, 41 genera and more than 300 valid species. Its members are widely distributed throughout South America, reaching Costa Rica in Central America and are recognized by extraordinary anatomical specializations and trophic diversity. In order to assess the phylogenetic relationships of Trichomycteridae, we collected sequence data from ultraconserved elements (UCEs) of the genome from 141 specimens of Trichomycteridae and 12 outgroup species.

Anatomical, taxonomic, and phylogenetic reappraisal of a poorly known ghost knifefish, Tembeassu marauna (Ostariophysi: Gymnotiformes), using X-ray microcomputed tomography.

A detailed osteological study of the poorly known and critical endangered ghost knifefish, Tembeassu marauna, from the rio Paraná, Brazil, was conducted using X-ray microcomputed tomography (μCT scan). A redescription of the external anatomy was performed, including the unusual presence of a rostral patch of extra teeth on the region of the upper lip anterior to the premaxilla and the prominent anterior fleshy expansions in both upper and lower lips. The newly surveyed characters were included and analyzed in light of a recent morphological data matrix for Gymnotiformes.

Phylogenetic interrelationships of the eel families Derichthyidae and Colocongridae (Elopomorpha: Anguilliformes) based on the pectoral skeleton.

A cladistic analysis of the eel families Derichthyidae and Colocongridae is herein proposed for the first time on the basis of morphological data. We discovered dozens of new phylogenetic characters derived from a detailed analysis of the pectoral skeleton, an anatomical system neglected by most previous studies. Our maximum parsimony analysis indicates that Colocongridae sensu lato is paraphyletic, with its two constituent genera Coloconger and Congriscus appearing as successive sister groups of derichthyids.

Evolution of the facial musculature in basal ray-finned fishes.

Background: The facial musculature is a remarkable anatomical complex involved in vital activities of fishes, such as food capture and gill ventilation. The evolution of the facial muscles is largely unknown in most major fish lineages, such as the Actinopterygii. This megadiverse group includes all ray-finned fishes and comprises approximately half of the living vertebrate species.

Multilocus analysis of the catfish family Trichomycteridae (Teleostei: Ostariophysi: Siluriformes) supporting a monophyletic Trichomycterinae.

Trichomycteridae is the second most diverse family of the order Siluriformes, its members are widely distributed through the freshwaters of Central and South America, exhibiting an exceptional ecological and phenotypic disparity. The most diverse subfamily, Trichomycterinae, represented mainly by the genus Trichomycterus, historically has been recognized as non-monophyletic and various characters used to unite or divide its constituents are repeatedly called into question. No comprehensive molecular phylogenetic hypothesis regarding relationships of trichomycterids has been produced, and the present study is the first extensive phylogeny for the family Trichomycteridae, based on a multilocus dataset of three mitochondrial loci and two nuclear markers (3284bp total).

A new species of Ituglanis (Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae) from the Tocantins and Paranaíba river basins, central Brazil, with remarks on the systematics of the genus.

Ituglanis goya, new species, is described from the Paranaíba and Tocantins river drainages, central Brazil. This is the first species of the genus described for the Upper Paraná system and the second epigean Ituglanis for the Tocantins basin. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by the combination of a color pattern formed by longitudinal stripes and spots, absence of the anterior cranial fontanel, pattern of the cephalic laterosensory system and several fin-ray counts.

The infrabranchial musculature and its bearing on the phylogeny of percomorph fishes (Osteichthyes: Teleostei).

The muscles serving the ventral portion of the gill arches ( = infrabranchial musculature) are poorly known in bony fishes. A comparative analysis of the infrabranchial muscles in the major percomorph lineages reveals a large amount of phylogenetically-relevant information. Characters derived from this anatomical system are identified and discussed in light of current hypotheses of phylogenetic relationships among percomorphs.

A new species of Ituglanis from the Rio Xingu Basin, Brazil, and the evolution of pelvic fin loss in trichomycterid catfishes (Teleostei: Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae).

A new species of the trichomycterid catfish genus Ituglanis is described from the Rio Curuá, Rio Xingu basin, Rio Amazonas drainage, Brazil. Ituglanis apteryx, new species, is promptly distinguished from congeners, except some specimens of I. parahybae (Eigenmann), by the absence of pelvic fins, girdle, and muscles.

The jaw adductor muscle complex in teleostean fishes: evolution, homologies and revised nomenclature (osteichthyes: actinopterygii).

The infraclass Teleostei is a highly diversified group of bony fishes that encompasses 96% of all species of living fishes and almost half of extant vertebrates. Evolution of various morphological complexes in teleosts, particularly those involving soft anatomy, remains poorly understood. Notable among these problematic complexes is the adductor mandibulae, the muscle that provides the primary force for jaw adduction and mouth closure and whose architecture varies from a simple arrangement of two segments to an intricate complex of up to ten discrete subdivisions.

Monophyly of the Agoniatinae (Characiformes: Characidae).

The Characidae is the most diverse family of Neotropical fishes, currently encompassing more than one thousand valid species. Some subgroups within this family still lack phylogenetic definitions, being diagnosed on the basis of combination of characters, a common procedure in pre-cladistic studies. Agoniatinae, currently composed by two valid species, Agoniates anchovia and A.

Anatomy and evolution of the mandibular, hyopalatine, and opercular muscles in characiform fishes (Teleostei: Ostariophysi).

The Characiformes are distributed throughout large portions of the freshwaters of Africa and America. About 90% of the almost 2000 characiform species inhabit the American rivers, with their greatest diversity occurring in the Neotropical region. As in most other groups of fishes, the current knowledge about characiform myology is extremely poor.