The Term 'Fossa Bridgei' and Five Endocranial Fossae in Teleostome Fishes

Laterally on each side of the dorsal surface of the otic region of the endocranium of some teleostome fishes are two distinct depressions. Nearly sixty years ago Stensiö regarded these depressions in the sturgeon Acipenser ruthenus as one unit and called it 'fossa bridgei'. Since then this term has been employed by comparative ichthyologists in various meanings, which has hindered communication and interpretation. A disposal presented here eliminates this contusion and sheds light on the homologies of some of the fossae on the dorsal of the teleostome endocranium.