Morphology of otolith and vertebrae of marine atherinid species coexisting (Atheriniformes, Atherinopsidae) in Southwestern Atlantic coastal.

TOMBARI, A; GOSZTONYI, A; ECHEVERRIA, D. D; VOLPEDO A.V

CIENCIAS MARINAS

INST INVESTIGACIONES OCEANOLOGICAS, U A B C, APARTADO POSTAL 423

Lugar: Ciudad de México; Año: 2010 vol. 36 p. 213 - 223

0185-3880

The morphological pattern of the sagitta otoliths of the five marine species belonging to the genus Odontesthes was consistent with that of the subfamily Atherinopsinae, with these patterns being species specific. In Odontesthes argentinensis, O. platensis and O. smitti, the caudal vertebrae present an expansion of the haemal arch walls forming a haemal funnel with distinctive morphology, while this characteristic is absent in O. incisa and O. nigricans. A key based on the major morphological features of sagittae and haemal arches is provided.