GARRAINA

Stiassny, Melanie L. J. & Getahun, Abebe, 2007, An overview of labeonin relationships and the phylogenetic placement of the Afro-Asian genus Garra Hamilton, 1922 (Teleostei: Cyprinidae), with the description of five new species of Garra from Ethiopia, and a key to all African species, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 150 (1), pp. 41-83 : 48

MONOPHYLETIC GARRAINA

CHARACTERS 8 , 9 : MEDIATION OF CONTACT OF NEURAL COMPLEX WITH THE NEUROCRANIUM

As noted above in Garra ( Fig. 3A ) and other garrains (e.g. Fig. 3B ), contact between the neurocranium and the neural complex of the Weberian apparatus is mediated through an expanded anterior supraneural element that abuts the exoccipital of the neurocranium. This condition is interpreted here as a synapomorphy of garrains, and is contrasted with the alternate synapomorphic condition in labeoins where contact with the supraoccipital is mediated via the posterior supraneural element of the complex, and a plesiomorphic condition of ‘no contact’, as exemplified by other cyprinids.

Figures

Figure 3. Weberian apparatus and posterior neurocranium: lateral view of (A) Garra dembeensis, (B) Paracrossocheilus acerus, (C) Labeo cylindricus, (D) Osteochilus salsburyi, (E) Prolabeops melanhypopterus, and (F) Leuciscus leuciscus. The cross section of the basioccipital process is shaded grey; arrows indicate point of contact between neural complex and neurocranium.