CONTENTS 



INTRODUCTION 1 



Preface 1 



Methods 2 



PROLOGUE 4 



Synopsis of the phylogeny of the Plectognathi 4 



Synopsis ofthe higher classification of the Plectognathi 7 



Historical review of the classification of the Plectognathi 7 



Historical review of the nonclassificatory anatomical work on the Plectognathi 28 



Relationship of the Plectognathi to the Perciformes 40 



SYSTEMATIC SECTION 41 



Definition and synopsis of the osteology of the Order Plectognathi (Tetraodontiformes) 41 



Suborder Balistoidei (Sclerodermi) 44 



Comparative diagnosis (contrast with that ofthe Tetraodontoidei) 44 



Infraorder Triacanthoideo [and Superfamily Triacanthoidea] 44 



Comparative diagnosis (contrast with that of the Balistoideo) 44 



Family Triacanthodidae 46 



Comparative diagnosis (contrast with that of the Triacanthidae) 46 



Detailed description of Para/io//ardia lineata 47 



Comparative diagnoses of subfamilies (Spinacanthinae, Eoplectinae, Hollardiinae, Triacan- 



thodinae) 56 



Anatomical diversity 56 



Generic relationships 69 



Subfamilial relationships, and relationships to the Triacanthidae and Gymnodontes 73 



Family Triacanthidae 78 



Comparative diagnosis (contrast with that of the Triacanthodidae) 78 



Detailed desciiption of Pseudotriacanthus strigilifer 79 



Comparative diagnoses of subfamilies (Protacanthodinae, Cryptobalistinae, Triacan- 



thinae) 88 



Anatomical diversity 92 



Generic relationships 98 



Infraorder Balistoideo 99 



Comparative diagnosis (contrast with that of the Triacanthoideo) 99 



Superfamily Balistoidea 99 



Comparative diagnosis (contrast with that ofthe Ostracioidea) 99 



Family Balistidae 101 



Comparative diagnosis (contrast with that of the Monacanthidae) 101 



Detailed description of Ba/ts£apusundu/atus 102 



Anatomical diversity 110 



Generic relationships 120 



Relationship to the Monacanthidae 123 



Relationship to the Triacanthidae 131 



Family Monacanthidae 135 



Comparative diagnosis (contrast with that ofthe Balistidae) 135 



Detailed description of Monacant/iusci7iatus 136 



Anatomical diversity 1^ 



Generic relationships 1"^^ 



Superfamily Ostracioidea 1^3 



Comparative diagnosis (contrast with that of the Balistoidea) 183 



Family Aracanidae ^85 



Comparative diagnosis (contrast with that ofthe Ostraciidae) 185 



Detailed description of Kentrocapros acu/eaf us 185 



Anatomical diversity 1^5 



Generic relationships 204 



Relationship to the Ostraciidae 206 



Relationship to the Balistidae 207 



Family Ostraciidae 211 



Comparativediagnosis(contrast with that ofthe Aracanidae) 211 



Detailed description of A canthostracionquadncomis 211 



