Fish Osteology

Ray-finned fishes, teleosts, are the largest and most diverse group of vertebrates with nearly 30,000 species. They show great variations in morphology, physiology and behavior. The osteology of the teleosts has benefitted ichthyologists to analyze their phylogenetic relationships. The present book provides complete outline of the bones of Asian carps, Labeo rohita and Cyprinus carpio and African catfish, Clarias gariepinus. The first part of the book offers a comprehensive introduction to fish osteology with specific informations on teleost skull, vertebrae, paired fins and girdles, caudal fin and its skeleton, median fins and inter-muscular bones. The aim is to enthuse the readers and to lay a solid foundation for future studies.