Internal morphology and function of paired fins in the epaulette shark,hemiscyllium ocellatum |
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Authors: | Tomoaki Goto Kiyonori Nishida Kazuhiro Nakaya |
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Institution: | (1) Fisheries Technology Center of Iwate Prefecture, 3-75-1 Heita, 026-0001 Kamaishi, Iwate, Japan;(2) Osaka Aquarium “Kaiyukan”, Osaka Waterfront Development Co., LTD., 1-1-10 Kaigandori, Minato-ku, 552-0022 Osaka, Japan;(3) Laboratory of Marine Zoology, Faculty of Fisheries, Hokkaido University, 3-1-1 Minato-cho, Hakodate, 041-8611 Hokkaido, Japan |
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Abstract: | Paired fins and associated internal structures of the epauletic sharkHemiscyllium ocellatum, were described on the basis of three specimens. A comparison with other genera showed the epaulette shark to be, characterized
by two elongated basal cartilages articulating with a distally projecting articular condyle on the coracoid, a loosely separated
radial series with an intermediate series, a levator pectoralis inferior muscle and an anterolaterally developed depressor
pectoralis muscle in the pectoral fin, and an elongated anterior pelvic basal cartilage articulating with a distally projecting
articular condyle and an anterolaterally developed depressor pelvicus muscle in the pelvic fin. In captivity, the sharks exhibited
both upright and crawling behavior on the bottom by using the pectoral and pelvic fins and bending the body. The distinctive
morphological characters are shared by otherHemiscyllium species and are suggested as important factors enabling their unique behavior associated with a complex coral reef habitat. |
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Keywords: | Hemiscyllium ocellatum pectoral fin pelvic fin internal morphology locomotion |
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