Interrelationships among the Species of the Genus Puntius (Teleostei, Cyprinidae) as Indicated by the Osteology

Abstract

The osteology of twelve species of Puntius based on a study of 3·43 specimens from each species is discribed. Study material ranging in size from 30 mm to 90 mm in standard length included cleared and stained specimens and preserved specimens in formaline. The skull of the Genus Puntius is characterized by the presence of prcethmoids, lateralethmoids, orbitosphenoids, interorbital septum completely separating the two orbits, pharyngeal process which is a elongation of basioccipitals, exoccipitals dividing the foramen magnum in to three parts, triserial pharyngeal teeth on fifth ceratobranchials, and absence of basisphenoid. The total number of vertebrae of Puntius varies from 27 to 41. The first four vertebrae are reduced and fused to form the Webarian apparatus which is a characteristic feature of all Cypriniformes. All the vertebrae except the first four are typified by the presence of Y-shaped epineurals and epihaemals. The caudal skeleton is of primitive pcrciform type with five or six hypurals, one parhypural, two uroneurals, two epurals, and fifteen or more branched rays. The main species specific characteristics of the Genus Puntius are the numbers of vertebrae, gill rakers, pectoral fin rays, and shapes of some skull bones.