An unexplored anatomic region for phylogenetics: Architecture of the epicranial portion of the dorsal fin of the Bothidae (Teleostei: Pleuronectiformes)

Architecture of the epicranial portion of the dorsal fin of flatfishes of the pleuronectiform family Bothidae is here investigated for the first time. This work demonstrates that bothid species present important variation in the relationships between the neurocranium and the dorsal-fin proximal pterygiophores. Five characters are identified and their potential phylogenetic information is discussed. Several possible clades among the Bothidae are proposed based on these observations. The potential interest of these characters for phylogenetics is pointed out and hypotheses generated from these characters are compared to those provided in previous anatomical and molecular works.