Anatomy of fishes of genus Lampanyctus (sensu lato), its taxonomic structure, and status in the Lampanyctini (Myctophidae) tribe system

Abstract

An analysis of the structure of lateral musculature of the head and the basic skeletal elements was made in 14 species of genus Lampanyctus, which belong to all of its species groups. Although there are visible differences in the external morphology that are inherent in Lampanyctus from different species groups, stable anatomical differences were not revealed. Apparently, an important role in the evolution of Lampanyctus species was played by the process of paedomorphosis, which is expressed in a weak skeleton ossification, abnormal development or loss of its separate elements, a decrease in the maximum size of the body, and strong watering of body musculature. The absence of osteological differences between the species groups of Lampanyctus indirectly shows the unity of their origin and, therefore, confirms the hypothesis on the monophyly of this genus.