Pectoral fin morphology of batoid fishes (Chondrichthyes: Batoidea): Explaining phylogenetic variation with geometric morphometrics

摘要: The diverse cartilaginous fish lineage, Batoidea (rays, skates, and allies), sister taxon to sharks, comprises a huge range of morphological diversity which date remains unquantified unexplained in terms evolution or locomotor style. A recent molecular phylogeny has enabled us confidently assess broadscale aspects morphology across Batoidea. Geometric morphometrics quantifies the major shape variation, focusing on enlarged pectoral fins characterize batoids, explore relationships between ancestry, locomotion habitat. database 253 specimens, encompassing 60 72 batoid genera, reveals that majority variation is attributable fin aspect-ratio chordwise location apexes. Both apex exhibit significant phylogenetic signal. Standardized independent linear contrast analysis can predict This study provides first evidence low are correlated with undulatory-style whereas high oscillatory locomotion. We also show it determines In addition, body- caudal fin-locomotors shown fins, pelagic lifestyle correlates fins. These results emphasize importance determining shape, however, interactions other constraints, most notably style, highlighted as significant. J. Morphol. 275:1173–1186, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.