Document Type : Research Paper

Author

• soheil Eagderi

University of Tehran

Abstract

Considering the importance of osteological studies for a better understanding of the relationships between fishes and their evolution, in this research, the skeletal structure of Acanthobrama urmianus was investigated as an initial pattern to understand the osteology of this species. For this study, 20 specimens of A. urmianus from Shahr-Chai River (Urmia Lake basin, Iran), and A. marmid, A. microlepis and A. persidis were collected from Tigris, Caspian Sea watersheds and Kor river respectively. Five specimens were cleared and stained for osteological examinations. Based on the results, among the unique features of A. urmianus are Pre-ethmoid and Vomer. Pre-ethmoid in studied taxon is completely ossified whereas in other species of the same genus, is cartilage or semi-cartilage. Vomer is also longer than that of the other species belong the same genus. Additionally, the results revealed differences in the neurocranium, fins and the shape of the jaws with other cyprinid species of the Iranian inland waters, which can be useful as identification characters for this species.

Keywords

• Osteology
• Shahrchai River
• Ichthyology
• Morphology