Figure 10. A in Ontogeny and homology of the neural complex of otophysan Ostariophysi

Figure 10. A schematic representation summarizing our hypotheses of differences in composition of the neural complex in otophysan subgroups, based on the more generalized state of supradorsal and supraneural elements in non-otophysan basal teleosts. Supraneural cartilages and supradorsals are marked in grey. Evolutionary steps are shown as rectangles, with associated letters referring to the following synapomorphies: A, loss of supraneural 1 and its cartilaginous precursor. B, loss of supradorsals 2 and all supradorsals posterior to vertebra 4, neural complex formed by fusion of supradorsals 3 and 4 with supraneural 2 and 3 cartilages. C, loss of supraneural 2 and its cartilaginous precursor, neural complex formed by fusion of anteriorly shifted supraneural 3 cartilage with supradorsals 3 and 4. D, development of cartilaginous bridges between supradorsals 3 and 4 of each side that fuse with supraneural 3 cartilage to form the neural complex. E, loss of supraneural 3 and its cartilaginous precursor; note that among siluriforms Diplomystes, some ictalurids, pimelodids, and schilbids still retain supraneural 3.