Gill arches and the phylogeny of fishes : with notes on the classification of vertebrates. Bulletin of the AMNH ; v. 141, article 4
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Date
1969
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New York : [American Museum of Natural History]
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Abstract
"Study of adult gill-arch dentition of Recent and some fossil fishes suggested that the condition primitive for gnathostomes included numerous dermal elements, initially small but capable of growth. During evolution these small units apparently were organized into specialized structures of several types, through processes involving fusion between initially separate dermal elements, and in some cases fusion between the dermal skeleton and visceral endoskeleton. Advanced types of gill-arch dentition were found to characterize most of the major groups of fishes. These types, combined with characters of the gill-arch endoskeleton and related muscles, provided a basis for discussion of the phyletic interrelationships of all major fish groups represented in the Recent fauna. Concerning relationships, conclusions reached are in essential agreement with those of earlier workers. In addition, the basic branching of the gnathostomes appears to be consistent with the sister-group model of Hennig. On the basis of this agreement and consistency it was possible to propose a revised higher classification of fishes, proceeding from the assumption that sister-group relationships among Recent organisms must be expressed in the main outlines of a phyletic classification. Because it is generally agreed that tetrapods are related to rhipidistian fishes, it was possible to extend the classification to include the major groups of Recent tetrapods. The final result was a revised higher classification of the superclass Gnathostomata in which the major groups are arranged not arbitrarily but according to their probable phyletic interrelationships"--P. 535.
Description
p. 477-552, [14] p. of plates : ill. ; 27 cm.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 535-552).
Includes bibliographical references (p. 535-552).
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