Tomographic osteology of Kryptoglanis shajii

[Silurus]

Lundberg, JG, K Luckenbill, KK Subhash Babu & HH Ng, 2014. A tomographic osteology of the taxonomically puzzling catfish Kryptoglanis shajii (Siluriformes, Siluroidei, incertae sedis): description and a first phylogenetic interpretation. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences 163: 1-41.

Abstract

The recent discovery and description of an unusually puzzling catfish, Kryptoglanis shajii Vincent and Thomas (2011) from ground and surface waters in Kerala State, southwestern, peninsular India, added an unresolved taxon to the order Siluriformes. Here we use high-resolution X-ray computed tomography (HRXCT) and X-radiography to illustrate, describe and compare the bony skeleton of Kryptoglanis with the objective of determining its phylogenetic position.
Several characteristics of Kryptoglanis are strongly modified and structurally complex, setting this catfish apart from other siluriforms. Striking examples are its greatly shortened mesethmoid with overlapping frontals; non-tubular nasal bone; absence of the infraorbital lateralis sensory canal and canal bones but with an apparent antorbital bone; the flat and expansive orbitosphenoid; the vaulted supraoccipital-Weberian neural arch joint; the fenestrated occipital wall; the upwardly flexed occipito-vertebral joint; three pairs of elongated accessory processes off the compound Weberian vertebra; a unique exoccipital process for attachment of the transscapular ligament; hyomandibular-sphenotic ball and socket articulation; a serially notched anterior ceratohyal; and a novel posttemporo-supracleithum joint with the fourth transverse process. Some of these apparent autapomorphic features may eventually be found in some other siluriforms and judged to be informative on phylogenetic relationships. Presently, however, we have identified a few features that support the placement of Kryptoglanis in the Siluroidei (the presence of a posterior nostril barbel and position of the pterosphenoid along the anterior margin of the trigeminofacial foramen), and therein, as the sister lineage to family Siluridae (the nodular form and small size of the autopalatine).

[Silurus]

Video associated with the paper.

[Shovelnose]

A copy if possible HH.



Thanks,

[Birger]

A copy if possible HH.

Myself as well please

Birger

[Suckermouth]

I'd appreciate a copy as well. Thanks!

[Silurus]

My apologies for the delay in sending out the article, but I was going to wait until I obtained an actual published copy of the paper (I only have the electronic pre-print at the moment).

In any case, a very similar paper has just been published:

Britz, R, F Kakkassery & R Raghavan, 2014. Osteology of Kryptoglanis shajii, a stygobitic catfish (Teleostei: Siluriformes) from Peninsular India with a diagnosis of the new family Kryptoglanidae. Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters 24[2013]: 193-207.

Abstract

Kryptoglanis shajii was recently described from a public well in Kerala, India. Its systematic position among catfishes has remained unresolved partly due to lack of morphological information. We present here a detailed osteological description of the skeleton of K. shajii and discuss its unusual skeletal features. Unlike most other catfishes Kryptoglanis has a fifth vertebra that is well-separated from the Weberian complex, a character shared only with the Diplomystidae, Helogenes and with the troglobitic or phreatic ictalurids Trogloglanis, Prietella and Satan. There is no trace of the dorsal fin or its supporting skeleton and the caudal fin skeleton consists of a single hypural plate articulating with five rays. Kryptoglanis has a number of reductive features, which may be interpreted as developmental truncations. It lacks the vomer, metapterygoid, all infraorbital bones except the antorbital, the mesocoracoid, and the pectoral fin spine.
The phylogenetic position of Kryptoglanis remains unclear, even though the reduced condition of the palatine may point to a closer relationship with the Siluridae. Our osteological analysis of Kryptoglanis demonstrates that this genus cannot be accommodated into any known catfish family and we therefore propose the new family
Kryptoglanidae for it.

[Suckermouth]

My apologies for the delay in sending out the article, but I was going to wait until I obtained an actual published copy of the paper (I only have the electronic pre-print at the moment).

Understandable, I like having the published final copy...

Also, a copy of the latter paper would be appreciated as well. Thanks HH!

[racoll]

A copy of both for me too please HH.

[medaka]

Can I have copies also please HH