Comparative neurocranial morphology of angelsharks from the south-western Atlantic Ocean (Chondrichthyes, Elasmobranchii, Squatinidae): implications for taxonomy and phylogeny

Autor(es)

de Carvalho, Marcelo R. ^[1] ; Faro, Caio ^[2] ; Gomes, Ulisses L. ^[2]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Zool, Inst Biociencias, BR-05508900 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Estado Rio de Janeiro, Lab Taxon Elasmobranquios, Dept Zool, Inst Biol, BR-20550011 Rio De Janeiro, RJ - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: ACTA ZOOLOGICA; v. 93, n. 2, p. 171-183, APR 2012.
• Citações Web of Science: 3

Resumo

Neurocrania of three species of angelsharks from the south-western Atlantic Ocean, occurring off south-eastern and southern Brazil, are described. A detailed morphological description is provided of the neurocranium of Squatina guggenheim and compared with S. argentina and S. occulta. Despite being generally conservative, the neurocranium of Squatina presents significant differences among these species which aid in their identification, which is otherwise problematical. The main distinctions were found in rostral projections, anterior fontanellae, supraorbital crests, upper and lower postorbital processes, otic capsules, suborbital crests, and pterotic processes. Squatina guggenheim and S. occulta share more neurocranial characters when compared to S. argentina. No basal angle was found, but we confirm the presence of a very much reduced and barely noticeable basioccipital fovea in Squatina; systematic implications within elasmobranchs of these and other features are discussed. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 02/06459-0 - Sistemática filogenética, evolução e classificação de raias viventes e fósseis, com uma análise da biologia histórica das raias de água doce da família Potamotrygonidae (Chondrichthyes: Batoidea)
• Beneficiário: Marcelo Rodrigues de Carvalho
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Jovens Pesquisadores
• Processo FAPESP: 10/51193-5 - Estudos sistemáticos, morfológicos e filogenéticos da família Rajidae (Chondrichthyes: Rajiformes: Rajidae)
• Beneficiário: Marcelo Rodrigues de Carvalho
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Regular