Interrelationships among the species of the genus puntius (teleostei, cyprinidae) as indicated by the osteology

Abstract

The osteology of twelve species of Puntius based on a study of 3·43 specimensfrom each species is discribed. Study material ranging in size from 30 mmto 90 mm in standard length included cleared and stained specimens andpreserved specimens in formaline.

The skull of the Genus Puntius is characterized by the presence of prcethmoids,lateralethmoids, orbitosphenoids, interorbital septum completelyseparating the two orbits, pharyngeal process which is a elongation of basioccipitals,exoccipitals dividing the foramen magnum in to three parts, triserialpharyngeal teeth on fifth ceratobranchials, and absence of basisphenoid.The total number of vertebrae of Puntius varies from 27 to 41. The firstfour vertebrae are reduced and fused to form the Webarian apparatus whichis a characteristic feature of all Cypriniformes. All the vertebrae exceptthe first four are typified by the presence of Y-shaped epineurals andepihaemals. The caudal skeleton is of primitive pcrciform type with fiveor six hypurals, one parhypural, two uroneurals, two epurals, and fifteenor more branched rays.

The main species specific characteristics of the Genus Puntius are thenumbers of vertebrae, gill rakers, pectoral fin rays, and shapes of some skullbones.