Abstract
Barbels of the Mullidae and Polymixiidae were observed osteologically and myologically. They were considered to be derived from branchiostegal rays. Four muscles, the extensor tentaculi, retractor tentaculi, and two sections of rotator tentaculi, were related to the barbels in both families. These muscles originate from almost all the hyoid bones in mullids, whereas they originate only from the ventral hypohyal and fifth branchiostegal ray in polymixiids. In addition, each muscle related to the barbel of the former is independent from others, but that of the latter is interconnected. These muscular differences indicate that the barbels occurring in the two families are nonhomologous.
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Received: August 27, 2000 / Revised: April 11, 2001/ Accepted: May 13, 2001
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Kim, BJ., Yabe, M. & Nakaya, K. Barbels and related muscles in Mullidae (Perciformes) and Polymixiidae (Polymixiiformes). Ichthyol Res 48, 409–413 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10228-001-8165-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10228-001-8165-y