Meristic variation of four fish species exhibiting lowest median counts in Georgia Strait, British Columbia

Abstract

In contrast with other fish species, Lycodapus mandibularis (Zoarcidae), Lycodes diapterus (Zoarcidae), Nectoliparis pelagicus (Liparidae), and Lipariscus nanus (Liparidae) share ecological similarities that apparently produce low fin ray and vertebral counts in Georgia Strait, British Columbia, rather than a typical cline of lowest counts at southernmost localities such as off Oregon and California.