Comparative osteological study of six mullet species (Muglidae, Pisces) from the south Adriatic: phylogenetic implications

Abstract

The aim of our study of the interspecific variabilities, variabilities on the genera level and phenetic relationships within the family of Mugilidae, was the testing of its actual systematics and phylogenetic status. This study was carried out on the following mullet species: Liza aurata (Risso, 1810), Liza saliens (Risso, 1810), Liza ramada (Risso, 1826), Chelon labrosus (Risso, 1826), Oedalechilus labeo (Cuvier, 1829) and Mugil cephalus (Linnaeus, 1758). Skeletal elements were prepared by using different methods: Ewans (1948), boiling method and dermestid insects. The combined method of scanning, photography and drawing was applied. The differences in shape and the variability of discrete traits of backbone, caudal part and cranial skeleton (neurokranial and splanchokranial) were examined, too. The homology points on the neurokranium were determined and their relationships tested. The parametric multivariancy, bivariancy and univariancy methods of statistical analyses were used. The results have shown the existence of 3 groups with different osteological traits: 1. Mugil cephalus, 2. Oedalechilus labeo, 3. Liza ramada, Liza saliens, Liza aurata and Chelon labrosus. Within the thirds group two different subgroups might be identified: a) Liza spp. and b) Chelon labrosus