Figure 7. A in Comparative osteology and phylogenetic systematics of fossil and living bony-tongue fishes (Actinopterygii, Teleostei, Osteoglossomorpha)

Figure 7. A hypothesis of the interrelationships of the osteoglossomorph fishes based on the results of this analysis (see Figs 4 and 5). In this figure, I collapsed all nodes of the strict consensus tree shown in Fig. 5 that have no synapomorphies or are not supported by observed data (see Character Optimization and Node Support). Some more prominent characters (although not necessarily uniquely derived) supporting the various nodes are provided here. Osteoglossomorpha: parasphenoid teeth large and found along the length of the parasphenoid; supraorbital bone absent; four bones in the infraorbital series; supramaxillae absent. Hiodontidae: nasal bones tubular and strongly curved; posterodorsal spine on the opercle. Osteoglossiformes: bony process on the second hypobranchial; one ossified pair of hypohyals; six or fewer hypurals. Osteoglossoidei (= Osteoglossidae + Notopteridae): nasal bones meet each other in the midline; supratemporal commissure passing through the parietals; 15 or fewer branched caudal fin rays; one neural spine on ural centrum 1. Osteoglossidae: nasal bones flat and broad; palatoquadrate area behind and below the orbit completely covered by infraorbitals; scales with reticulate furrows over the entire scale. Heterotinae: enlarged first infraorbital; posterior bones of the lower jaw all separate; infrapharyngobranchial 3 divided into two elements. Osteoglossinae: opercle depth to width ratio about two or greater than two; first pectoral fin ray greatly enlarged and extremely long. Notopteridae: autogenous bony elements associated with the second ventral gill arch; abdominal scutes present as paired structures; posterior end of anal fin continuous with caudal fin. Mormyridae: proximal tip of infrapharyngobranchial 1 posteriorly directed; cleithrum with a broad medial lamina; scales with both radial and reticulate furrows. Mormyrinae: hypohyal greatly reduced in size; basihyal toothplate absent.