Cartilage element associated with the pelvic fin in aulopiform fishes. [ PHENOSCAPE ]
Term information
Paralepidids (except Anotopterus), Alepisaurus, and evermannellids have a well-developed cartilage that extends dorsally into the body musculature from the region where the lateral pelvic-fin rays articulate with the girdle. In some young specimens, this cartilage is attached by a small rod of cartilage to the cartilage capping the central process, suggesting that it originates as part of the lateral cartilage. A similar cartilage is present in myctophids (Fig. 4A) but lacking in other aulopiforms and outgroups. [From Baldwin CC & Johnson GD (1996) Interrelationships of Aulopiformes. Interrelationships of Fishes, eds Stiassny MLJ, Parenti LR, & Johnson GD (Academic Press, San Diego, CA), pp 355-404.]