Research Article: Phylogeny of Leiognathidae based on the osteological characters in the northern Persian Gulf and Oman Sea

Six species of the Ponyfish species (Leiognathidae) from five genera were investigated for osteological phylogeny analysis from coastal marine waters of the Northern Persian Gulf and Oman Sea. Five specimens of each species were cleared and stained for detailed osteological examination. Additionally, Diapterus auratus was selected as an out-group for comparative analysis. The resulting data matrix was analyzed to reconstruct the phylogenetic tree. Through parsimony analysis, the studied species were classified into two main clades. The first clade comprised Nuchequula gerreoides + (Aurigequla fasciata + Karalla daura). The second clade included (Deveximentum mekranense+Deveximentum ruconiu)+in Photopectoralis bindus. Results were congruent with previously reported molecular phylogenetic analysis and underscored the significance of osteological features in distinguishing taxonomic groups within the Leiognathidae family.

کلیدواژه ها:

Ponyfish ، Osteology ، Cladogram ، Persian Gulf ، Oman Sea