Sexual dimorphism of the Weberian apparatus and pectoral girdle in Sundadanio axelrodi (Ostariophysi: Cyprinidae) |
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| Authors: | K W Conway † R Britz ‡ |
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| Institution: | Department of Biology, Saint Louis University, 3507 Laclede Ave, St Louis, MO 63103, U.S.A.; and The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD, U.K. |
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| Abstract: | The miniature cyprinid fish, Sundadanio axelrodi , exhibits extreme sexual dimorphism in the skeleton of the Weberian apparatus, the fifth rib and pectoral girdle. Musculature associated with the fifth rib and Weberian apparatus also shows a high degree of sexual dimorphism. It is suggested that these modifications are responsible for the production of a croaking sound that seems to be restricted to males of the species, based on the lack of any corresponding anatomical specializations in females. |
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| Keywords: | osteology sexual dimorphism sound production |
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