Analysis of fish skeletal morphology in Mar Chiquita coastal lagoon, Argentina

DELI ANTONI, M.Y.; GONZÁLEZ CASTRO, M. & J.M. DÍAZ DE ASTARLOA.

Revista de Biología Marina y Oceanografía

Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y de Recursos Naturales, Universidad de Valparaíso.

Lugar: Valparaíso, Chile.; Año: 2008 vol. 43 p. 355 - 380

0717-3326

The morphological analysis of the bones is a valuable tool for taxonomy, which has allowed the definitionof the higher groups of vertebrates and descriptions andidentifications of fish species. Therefore, the comparedosteology provides valuable diagnostic elements in biodiversitystudies, ecology and dynamics of trophic habits of piscivorefish. The goal of the present study is to make a descriptive andcomparative osteological analysis that allow the identificationof the main fish species occurring in Mar Chiquita coastallagoon: the brazilian menhaden (Brevoortia aurea), the mullet (Mugil platanus), the silver side (Odontesthes argentinensis), the white croaker (Micropogonias furnieri), the black drum (Pogonias cromis), the flounder (Paralichthys orbignyanus),(Pogonias cromis), the flounder (Paralichthys orbignyanus),the white croaker (Micropogonias furnieri), the black drum (Pogonias cromis), the flounder (Paralichthys orbignyanus),(Pogonias cromis), the flounder (Paralichthys orbignyanus),(Mugil platanus), the silver side (Odontesthes argentinensis), the white croaker (Micropogonias furnieri), the black drum (Pogonias cromis), the flounder (Paralichthys orbignyanus),(Pogonias cromis), the flounder (Paralichthys orbignyanus),the white croaker (Micropogonias furnieri), the black drum (Pogonias cromis), the flounder (Paralichthys orbignyanus),(Pogonias cromis), the flounder (Paralichthys orbignyanus),valuable tool for taxonomy, which has allowed the definitionof the higher groups of vertebrates and descriptions andidentifications of fish species. Therefore, the comparedosteology provides valuable diagnostic elements in biodiversitystudies, ecology and dynamics of trophic habits of piscivorefish. The goal of the present study is to make a descriptive andcomparative osteological analysis that allow the identificationof the main fish species occurring in Mar Chiquita coastallagoon: the brazilian menhaden (Brevoortia aurea), the mullet (Mugil platanus), the silver side (Odontesthes argentinensis), the white croaker (Micropogonias furnieri), the black drum (Pogonias cromis), the flounder (Paralichthys orbignyanus),(Pogonias cromis), the flounder (Paralichthys orbignyanus),the white croaker (Micropogonias furnieri), the black drum (Pogonias cromis), the flounder (Paralichthys orbignyanus),(Pogonias cromis), the flounder (Paralichthys orbignyanus),(Mugil platanus), the silver side (Odontesthes argentinensis), the white croaker (Micropogonias furnieri), the black drum (Pogonias cromis), the flounder (Paralichthys orbignyanus),(Pogonias cromis), the flounder (Paralichthys orbignyanus),the white croaker (Micropogonias furnieri), the black drum (Pogonias cromis), the flounder (Paralichthys orbignyanus),(Pogonias cromis), the flounder (Paralichthys orbignyanus),valuable tool for taxonomy, which has allowed the definitionof the higher groups of vertebrates and descriptions andidentifications of fish species. Therefore, the comparedosteology provides valuable diagnostic elements in biodiversitystudies, ecology and dynamics of trophic habits of piscivorefish. The goal of the present study is to make a descriptive andcomparative osteological analysis that allow the identificationof the main fish species occurring in Mar Chiquita coastallagoon: the brazilian menhaden (Brevoortia aurea), the mullet (Mugil platanus), the silver side (Odontesthes argentinensis), the white croaker (Micropogonias furnieri), the black drum (Pogonias cromis), the flounder (Paralichthys orbignyanus),(Pogonias cromis), the flounder (Paralichthys orbignyanus),the white croaker (Micropogonias furnieri), the black drum (Pogonias cromis), the flounder (Paralichthys orbignyanus),(Pogonias cromis), the flounder (Paralichthys orbignyanus),(Mugil platanus), the silver side (Odontesthes argentinensis), the white croaker (Micropogonias furnieri), the black drum (Pogonias cromis), the flounder (Paralichthys orbignyanus),(Pogonias cromis), the flounder (Paralichthys orbignyanus),the white croaker (Micropogonias furnieri), the black drum (Pogonias cromis), the flounder (Paralichthys orbignyanus),(Pogonias cromis), the flounder (Paralichthys orbignyanus),(Mugil platanus), the silver side (Odontesthes argentinensis), the white croaker (Micropogonias furnieri), the black drum (Pogonias cromis), the flounder (Paralichthys orbignyanus),(Pogonias cromis), the flounder (Paralichthys orbignyanus),the white croaker (Micropogonias furnieri), the black drum (Pogonias cromis), the flounder (Paralichthys orbignyanus),(Pogonias cromis), the flounder (Paralichthys orbignyanus),the white croaker (Micropogonias furnieri), the black drum (Pogonias cromis), the flounder (Paralichthys orbignyanus),(Pogonias cromis), the flounder (Paralichthys orbignyanus),(Pogonias cromis), the flounder (Paralichthys orbignyanus),the blue fish (Pomatomus saltatrix), the stripped weakfish (Cynoscion guatucupa) and the southern kingfish (Menticirrhus americanus). Six specimens of each species were analyzed and methods to disarticulate skeletons in fresh and frozen specimenswere used. On the basis of the diagnostic characteristics of thebones and their degree of digestibility resistance, eleven boneswere selected: parasphenoid, lachrymal, premaxilla, dentary,anguloarticular, palatine, hyomandibular, ceratohyal, urohyal,preopercle and posttemporal. Each bone has been described,and according to the most important differences found amongfish species, identification keys were elaborated. We concludethat bone morphology constitutes a valuable diagnostic toolfor the identification of fish species occurring in Mar Chiquitacoastal lagoon and coastal adjacent areas.Key words: Osteology, taxonomy, Mar Chiquita coastal lagoonmethods to disarticulate skeletons in fresh and frozen specimenswere used. On the basis of the diagnostic characteristics of thebones and their degree of digestibility resistance, eleven boneswere selected: parasphenoid, lachrymal, premaxilla, dentary,anguloarticular, palatine, hyomandibular, ceratohyal, urohyal,preopercle and posttemporal. Each bone has been described,and according to the most important differences found amongfish species, identification keys were elaborated. We concludethat bone morphology constitutes a valuable diagnostic toolfor the identification of fish species occurring in Mar Chiquitacoastal lagoon and coastal adjacent areas.Key words: Osteology, taxonomy, Mar Chiquita coastal lagoonamericanus). Six specimens of each species were analyzed and methods to disarticulate skeletons in fresh and frozen specimenswere used. On the basis of the diagnostic characteristics of thebones and their degree of digestibility resistance, eleven boneswere selected: parasphenoid, lachrymal, premaxilla, dentary,anguloarticular, palatine, hyomandibular, ceratohyal, urohyal,preopercle and posttemporal. Each bone has been described,and according to the most important differences found amongfish species, identification keys were elaborated. We concludethat bone morphology constitutes a valuable diagnostic toolfor the identification of fish species occurring in Mar Chiquitacoastal lagoon and coastal adjacent areas.Key words: Osteology, taxonomy, Mar Chiquita coastal lagoonmethods to disarticulate skeletons in fresh and frozen specimenswere used. On the basis of the diagnostic characteristics of thebones and their degree of digestibility resistance, eleven boneswere selected: parasphenoid, lachrymal, premaxilla, dentary,anguloarticular, palatine, hyomandibular, ceratohyal, urohyal,preopercle and posttemporal. Each bone has been described,and according to the most important differences found amongfish species, identification keys were elaborated. We concludethat bone morphology constitutes a valuable diagnostic toolfor the identification of fish species occurring in Mar Chiquitacoastal lagoon and coastal adjacent areas.Key words: Osteology, taxonomy, Mar Chiquita coastal lagoon(Cynoscion guatucupa) and the southern kingfish (Menticirrhus americanus). Six specimens of each species were analyzed and methods to disarticulate skeletons in fresh and frozen specimenswere used. On the basis of the diagnostic characteristics of thebones and their degree of digestibility resistance, eleven boneswere selected: parasphenoid, lachrymal, premaxilla, dentary,anguloarticular, palatine, hyomandibular, ceratohyal, urohyal,preopercle and posttemporal. Each bone has been described,and according to the most important differences found amongfish species, identification keys were elaborated. We concludethat bone morphology constitutes a valuable diagnostic toolfor the identification of fish species occurring in Mar Chiquitacoastal lagoon and coastal adjacent areas.Key words: Osteology, taxonomy, Mar Chiquita coastal lagoonmethods to disarticulate skeletons in fresh and frozen specimenswere used. On the basis of the diagnostic characteristics of thebones and their degree of digestibility resistance, eleven boneswere selected: parasphenoid, lachrymal, premaxilla, dentary,anguloarticular, palatine, hyomandibular, ceratohyal, urohyal,preopercle and posttemporal. Each bone has been described,and according to the most important differences found amongfish species, identification keys were elaborated. We concludethat bone morphology constitutes a valuable diagnostic toolfor the identification of fish species occurring in Mar Chiquitacoastal lagoon and coastal adjacent areas.Key words: Osteology, taxonomy, Mar Chiquita coastal lagoonamericanus). Six specimens of each species were analyzed and methods to disarticulate skeletons in fresh and frozen specimenswere used. On the basis of the diagnostic characteristics of thebones and their degree of digestibility resistance, eleven boneswere selected: parasphenoid, lachrymal, premaxilla, dentary,anguloarticular, palatine, hyomandibular, ceratohyal, urohyal,preopercle and posttemporal. Each bone has been described,and according to the most important differences found amongfish species, identification keys were elaborated. We concludethat bone morphology constitutes a valuable diagnostic toolfor the identification of fish species occurring in Mar Chiquitacoastal lagoon and coastal adjacent areas.Key words: Osteology, taxonomy, Mar Chiquita coastal lagoonmethods to disarticulate skeletons in fresh and frozen specimenswere used. On the basis of the diagnostic characteristics of thebones and their degree of digestibility resistance, eleven boneswere selected: parasphenoid, lachrymal, premaxilla, dentary,anguloarticular, palatine, hyomandibular, ceratohyal, urohyal,preopercle and posttemporal. Each bone has been described,and according to the most important differences found amongfish species, identification keys were elaborated. We concludethat bone morphology constitutes a valuable diagnostic toolfor the identification of fish species occurring in Mar Chiquitacoastal lagoon and coastal adjacent areas.Key words: Osteology, taxonomy, Mar Chiquita coastal lagoonPomatomus saltatrix), the stripped weakfish (Cynoscion guatucupa) and the southern kingfish (Menticirrhus americanus). Six specimens of each species were analyzed and methods to disarticulate skeletons in fresh and frozen specimenswere used. On the basis of the diagnostic characteristics of thebones and their degree of digestibility resistance, eleven boneswere selected: parasphenoid, lachrymal, premaxilla, dentary,anguloarticular, palatine, hyomandibular, ceratohyal, urohyal,preopercle and posttemporal. Each bone has been described,and according to the most important differences found amongfish species, identification keys were elaborated. We concludethat bone morphology constitutes a valuable diagnostic toolfor the identification of fish species occurring in Mar Chiquitacoastal lagoon and coastal adjacent areas.Key words: Osteology, taxonomy, Mar Chiquita coastal lagoonmethods to disarticulate skeletons in fresh and frozen specimenswere used. On the basis of the diagnostic characteristics of thebones and their degree of digestibility resistance, eleven boneswere selected: parasphenoid, lachrymal, premaxilla, dentary,anguloarticular, palatine, hyomandibular, ceratohyal, urohyal,preopercle and posttemporal. Each bone has been described,and according to the most important differences found amongfish species, identification keys were elaborated. We concludethat bone morphology constitutes a valuable diagnostic toolfor the identification of fish species occurring in Mar Chiquitacoastal lagoon and coastal adjacent areas.Key words: Osteology, taxonomy, Mar Chiquita coastal lagoonamericanus). Six specimens of each species were analyzed and methods to disarticulate skeletons in fresh and frozen specimenswere used. On the basis of the diagnostic characteristics of thebones and their degree of digestibility resistance, eleven boneswere selected: parasphenoid, lachrymal, premaxilla, dentary,anguloarticular, palatine, hyomandibular, ceratohyal, urohyal,preopercle and posttemporal. Each bone has been described,and according to the most important differences found amongfish species, identification keys were elaborated. We concludethat bone morphology constitutes a valuable diagnostic toolfor the identification of fish species occurring in Mar Chiquitacoastal lagoon and coastal adjacent areas.Key words: Osteology, taxonomy, Mar Chiquita coastal lagoonmethods to disarticulate skeletons in fresh and frozen specimenswere used. On the basis of the diagnostic characteristics of thebones and their degree of digestibility resistance, eleven boneswere selected: parasphenoid, lachrymal, premaxilla, dentary,anguloarticular, palatine, hyomandibular, ceratohyal, urohyal,preopercle and posttemporal. Each bone has been described,and according to the most important differences found amongfish species, identification keys were elaborated. We concludethat bone morphology constitutes a valuable diagnostic toolfor the identification of fish species occurring in Mar Chiquitacoastal lagoon and coastal adjacent areas.Key words: Osteology, taxonomy, Mar Chiquita coastal lagoonCynoscion guatucupa) and the southern kingfish (Menticirrhus americanus). Six specimens of each species were analyzed and methods to disarticulate skeletons in fresh and frozen specimenswere used. On the basis of the diagnostic characteristics of thebones and their degree of digestibility resistance, eleven boneswere selected: parasphenoid, lachrymal, premaxilla, dentary,anguloarticular, palatine, hyomandibular, ceratohyal, urohyal,preopercle and posttemporal. Each bone has been described,and according to the most important differences found amongfish species, identification keys were elaborated. We concludethat bone morphology constitutes a valuable diagnostic toolfor the identification of fish species occurring in Mar Chiquitacoastal lagoon and coastal adjacent areas.Key words: Osteology, taxonomy, Mar Chiquita coastal lagoonmethods to disarticulate skeletons in fresh and frozen specimenswere used. On the basis of the diagnostic characteristics of thebones and their degree of digestibility resistance, eleven boneswere selected: parasphenoid, lachrymal, premaxilla, dentary,anguloarticular, palatine, hyomandibular, ceratohyal, urohyal,preopercle and posttemporal. Each bone has been described,and according to the most important differences found amongfish species, identification keys were elaborated. We concludethat bone morphology constitutes a valuable diagnostic toolfor the identification of fish species occurring in Mar Chiquitacoastal lagoon and coastal adjacent areas.Key words: Osteology, taxonomy, Mar Chiquita coastal lagoon). Six specimens of each species were analyzed and methods to disarticulate skeletons in fresh and frozen specimenswere used. On the basis of the diagnostic characteristics of thebones and their degree of digestibility resistance, eleven boneswere selected: parasphenoid, lachrymal, premaxilla, dentary,anguloarticular, palatine, hyomandibular, ceratohyal, urohyal,preopercle and posttemporal. Each bone has been described,and according to the most important differences found amongfish species, identification keys were elaborated. We concludethat bone morphology constitutes a valuable diagnostic toolfor the identification of fish species occurring in Mar Chiquitacoastal lagoon and coastal adjacent areas.Key words: Osteology, taxonomy, Mar Chiquita coastal lagoon