Interorbital Width Research Articles

A new species of marine goby Trimma (Teleostei:Gobiidae) from Taiwan

A new species of marine goby, Trimma tigrinum sp. nov. is discovered and collected from the coastal waters off eastern and southern Taiwan. It can be well distinguished from other congeners by the following unique combination of features: (1) fin rays: D2 I/9, A I/9, P 17–19; second and third spines of D1 equal in length and not elongated; D2 rays branched; first ray of A not branched; fifth ray of V unbranched. (2) Squamation: LR 23–24 (modally 23), TR 6–7 (modally 7), PredS 7–8; no scales on the cheek and opercle. (3) Interorbital width narrow with deep trench and postorbital trench with slightly groove. (4) Specific colorations: cheek with two yellow vertical bands; anterior margin of pectoral-fin base with large yellow bar, two third of pupil diameter-sized; spine of second dorsal-fin with two small, dark reddish spots. dorsum from D1 to dorsal procurrent caudal-fin with seven yellow-orange bands like saddles; ventral from origin A to ventral procurrent caudal-fin with five diffuse yellowish or reddish orange bands. The molecular evidence from mtDNA COI sequence is also revealed that the new species is discrete species from others. A diagnostic key to nominal species of Trimma from Taiwanese waters would be also provided in this paper.

Comparative CBCT Analysis of Maxillofacial Skeletal Structures in Patients with Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate and Non-Cleft Individuals.

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the maxillofacial structures of individuals with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) and healthy controls using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). The study included a total of 90 subjects, comprising 45 randomly selected individuals with UCLP (30 males and 15 females, mean age 14.69 ± 3.95 years) in the study group and 45 healthy individuals (30 males and 15 females, mean age 14.46 ± 3.65 years) in the control group. Maxillofacial measurements were taken in three different planes and categorized into five groups, namely vertical, facial, cranial, maxillary, and mandibular. In the statistical comparison between groups, the significance level was determined as p < 0.05. There were no significant differences in the age and gender distributions between the groups (p > 0.05). Upper anterior face height and posterior face height in the UCLP group were found to be significantly shorter than the control group (p < 0.05). Midface width and depth were inadequate in the UCLP group (p < 0.05). Anterior and posterior cranial base lengths were significantly shorter in individuals with UCLP (p < 0.05). Nasal width and interorbital width were significantly greater in the UCLP group (p < 0.05). In addition, maxillary width, maxillary length, and mandibular width were significantly shorter in the UCLP group than in the control group (p < 0.05). While the control group exhibited generally longer measurements in all three dimensions compared to the study group, the skeletal structures adjacent to the cleft demonstrated the most notable developmental deficiency.

Stiphodon chlorestes, a new species of sicydiine goby (Teleostei: Gobioidei) from Taiwan and Luzon.

Stiphodon chlorestes sp. nov. is described based on seven specimens collected from Taiwan and Luzon. It is a large-sized Stiphodon species sharing the second dorsal-fin rays 9-10 and pectoral-fin rays 14-16 with similar-sized congeners. However, it differs from them by the wider interorbital width and almost complete lack of scales on the occipital region in males. In addition, the new species can be further distinguished from all congeners by seven to eight oval bands or a black longitudinal band on the lower body, black and white spots on pectoral fins, and a short red or orange line on posterior upper edge of caudal fin. Molecular analysis based on the 680-bp mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) fragments also supports it as a distinct species belonging to the "Stiphodon elegans group" and a sister group of the clade consisting of Stiphodon multisquamus and Stiphodon palawanensis.

A new species of Yunnanilus (Cypriniformes, Nemacheilidae) from Yunnan, southwest China

A new species of Yunnanilus is described from the Nanpanjiang River, Yunnan, China. The new species, Yunnanilus polylepis, can be distinguished from other species of Yunnanilus by the following combination of characteristics: Processus dentiformis absent; eye diameter smaller than interorbital width; outer gill raker absent and 10 inner gill rakers on first gill arch; whole trunk covered by scales; nine branched dorsal-fin rays; 10 or 11 branched pectoral-fin rays; six branched pelvic-fin rays. Despite our phylogenetic analysis, which sheds light on the complex relationships among Yunnanilus species, the majority of Yunnanilus species are restricted to more localized environments and habitats. It is urgent to address the environmental threats that jeopardize their survival, especially given their generally restricted distribution.

Sexual dimorphism and species divergence between a habitat generalist and a habitat specialist

AbstractSexual dimorphism, the phenotypic differences between males and females within a species, is widespread in the animal kingdom. This study investigates the extent of sexual dimorphism and species divergence in external morphology in two closely related freshwater fish species, Devario malabaricus and D. micronema, in Sri Lanka. Devario malabaricus, a habitat generalist, inhabits a wide range of aquatic environments, while D. micronema, a habitat specialist, resides in shaded rainforest streams. The study reveals size differences between the two species: D. malabaricus is consistently larger than D. micronema. However, there are no size differences between the sexes within each species. Several additional morphological traits, such as head length, interorbital width, predorsal length and postdorsal length display divergence between the species as well as between the sexes within each species; these patterns are also consistent across populations. The sexually dimorphic traits are similar between the two species despite their distinct ecological habitats. However, Devario malabaricus exhibit stronger sexual dimorphism compared to D. micronema, supporting the prediction of a positive relationship between the extent of sexual dimorphism and ecological generalism. The study highlights the importance of considering sexual dimorphism in morphometric comparisons in taxonomic studies of Devario and suggests that divergent selection between the sexes contributes to morphological variation in this group.

An integrative taxonomic study on needlefishes (Belonidae) unveils two new species within the genus Ablennes from the Indian Ocean

The needlefish genus Ablennes remains monotypic, characterized by the globally distributed flat needlefish known as Ablennes hians. Their taxonomy has been mired with ambiguities due to the greater-than-average morphological variations observed in samples from different regions. Utilizing integrated taxonomic methods relying on mitochondrial molecular markers, it was revealed that the species initially perceived as a single entity is, in fact, a complex comprising at least three different species. In this context, we introduce two new species: Ablennes joseberchmansis sp. nov. and Ablennes gracalii sp. nov., They are morphologically distinct: in view of the morphometry and meristic characteristics. A. joseberchmansis sp. nov. and A. gracalii sp. nov. display distinct differentiation characteristics from A. hians in terms of dorsal fin, nostril position, dorsal fin origin, vertebrae count, scale counts, head length, eye diameter, interorbital width, maxilla length, dorsal ray height, depth at pelvic origin, lower lobe of the caudal fin, and caudal peduncle depthcaudal peduncle depth. These variations highlight their unique morphological traits and aid in their differentiation within the genus Ablennes. We assessed genetic relationships using a Maximum likelihood (ML) phylogenetic tree, revealing three distinct clades of morphological differences in Ablennes specimens from different morphological groups. The genetic variation, as represented by Kimura 2 parameter (K2P) distances, within the three Ablennes species spans from 6.5% to 9.4%. More specifically, we observed a 7.5% genetic difference between A. hians and A. joseberchmansis sp. nov., and a 6.5% distinction between A. hians and A. gracalii sp. nov. The interspecies divergence between the two newly identified species measured at 9.4%. These findings, which showcase the genetic distinctions among the three morphologically distinct Ablennes specimens, provide strong confirmation for the existence of three separate species within the Ablennes genus of needlefish in the Indian Ocean.

A new loach species of the genus Oreonectes (Teleostei, Cypriniformes, Nemacheilidae) from Guangxi, China.

A new loach species, Oreonectesandongensissp. nov. is described from the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. The new species can be differentiated from other members of the genus by combinations of characters: a developed posterior chamber of the swim bladder, 13-14 branched caudal-fin rays, 8-16 lateral-line pores, body width 12-15% of standard length (SL), interorbital width 42-47% of head length (HL), and caudal peduncle length 11-16% of SL. Bayesian inference phylogenetic analysis based on mitochondrial Cyt b provided strong support for validity of O.andongensissp. nov. (uncorrected p-distance 6.0-7.5%).

The Correlation Between the Foramen Magnum Dimensions and the Main Craniometric Data of the Skull

The purpose of the study was to study the correlation between the length and width of the foramen magnum and the craniometric data of the skull. Methods. The research material consisted of 200 skulls. There were 20 skulls of adolescence age, I adulthood age 68, II adulthood age 72, and elderly age 40. In total, there were 86 male skulls and 114 female skulls. Foramen magnum length is measured as the mid-sagittal distance from the most anterior point on the foramen magnum to opisthion. Foramen magnum breadth is gauged between the lateral margins of the foramen magnum at the point of greatest lateral curvature. A non-parametric ρ-Spearman's rank correlation was used in the study. Results. A correlation between the foramen magnum length and foramen magnum breadth is identified (r=0.479, P&lt;0.001).The foramen magnum length positively correlates with maximum cranial length, nasio-occipital length, bizygomatic breadth, basion-bregma height, cranial base length, basion-prosthion length, biauricular breadth, upper facial breadth, left and right orbital breadths, left and right orbital height, biorbital breadth, interorbital breadth, frontal chord, biasterionic breadth, bimaxillary breadth, and zygoorbitale breadth. The foramen magnum breadth positively correlates with maximum cranial length, nasio-occipital length, bizygomatic breadth, basion-bregma height, cranial base length, basion-prosthion length, maxilla-alveolar breadth, maxilla-alveolar length, biauricular breadth, upper facial breadth, nasal height, left and right orbital breadths, left and right orbital heights, biorbital breadth, frontal chord, parietal chord, bimaxillary breadth, and zygoorbitale breadth. Conclusion. The fact that the length and breadth of the foramen magnum positively correlate with many basic craniometric indicators allows us to regard the foramen itself, or rather, the structures limiting it, as quite stable.

Glyptothorax heokheei, a new species of catfish (Teleostei: Sisoridae) from the Brahmaputra River drainage, Arunachal Pradesh, Northeast India.

Glyptothorax heokheei, a new species of sisorid catfish is described from the Brahmaputra River drainage in India. It can be distinguished from all congeners, exceptG. dikrongensis,G. indicus,G. rugimentumandG. obliquimaculatus, in having the unculiferous striae of thoracic adhesive apparatus extending anteriorly onto gular region.Glyptothorax heokheeiis distinguished fromG. dikrongensisandG. obliquimaculatusin having a slender body at the anus, more serrations on posterior margin of pectoral-fin spine, greater number of branched anal fin rays, and the extremity of dorsoposterior margin of adipose fin uniformly convex (vs. sharply angular). It differs fromG. rugimentumin having a chevron-shaped (vs. rhomboidal) thoracic adhesive apparatus, more serrations on posterior margin of pectoral-fin spine, and lacking vertical bars on body.Glyptothorax heokheeidiffers fromG. indicusin having a shorter post-adipose distance, smaller interorbital width, more serrations on posterior margin of pectoral-fin spine and nasal barbel not reaching (vs. reaching) anterior margin of eye.Glyptothorax heokheeiis the fifth species ofthe genuspossessing unculiferous ridges of thoracic adhesive apparatus extending anteriorly onto the gular region.

On the occurrence and distribution of Synodontis nigrita and Synodontis violaceus (Siluriformes: Mochokidae) in the Nilo-Sudan, and Upper and Lower Guinea ichthyofaunal provinces.

Examination of the holotype of Synodontis nigrita, the type specimens of both its (potential) junior synonyms, Synodontis fascipinna and Synodontis ornatus, and an additional 306 specimens, previously identified as S. nigrita, confirmed that the interorbital width is the most important diagnostic character to distinguish S. nigrita from its Nilo-Sudanic (N-S), and Upper and Lower Guinea ichthyofaunal province congeners. Results revealed that this species has a typical N-S distribution. In addition, the occurrence of Synodontis violaceus in the Cross River is not corroborated. Therefore, it should be considered a typical West African species.

“EVALUATION OF FRONTAL SINUS AS AN AID IN PERSONAL IDENTIFICATIONA DIGITAL RADIOGRAPHIC STUDY”

Background And Objectives: The cranio-facial structures have the advantage of being composed largely of hard tissue which is relatively indestructible. The frontal sinus is as unique to each individual as a ngerprint, even to monozygotic twins. The present study was conducted to evaluate frontal sinus as an aid in personal identication. The study was conducted among 200 subjects (100 males and 100 females). P Methods: osteroanterior radiographs were taken using KODAK 8000 C Digital Panoramic and Cephalometric system and digital measurements made using Trophy Dicom and Masterview 3.0 Software. Frontal sinuses were classied and analyzed as per Yoshino, Cameriere, Tang et al's methods. Total height and total width of frontal sinus was measured according to Tatlisumak and Uthman A T. Inter orbital width was measured according to Ribeiro. Total orbital width was measured as an additional parameter. Of the Results: total 200 (100%) subjects we observed uniqueness of frontal sinuses in all the 167 subjects with presence of frontal sinus with central septa presence with none being identical and found 16 subjects with central septa absence, where the mean total height and total width of frontal sinus was measured and 17 subjects with bilateral absence of frontal sinus, where mean inter-orbital width was measured. Total orbital width was considered for the combined 33 subjects. We conclude that frontal Conclusion: sinuses can be used as a potent aid in personal identication. The combined use of frontal sinus and orbital measurements can be a valuable, cost-effective adjunct to positive human identication.

Additional Data on Arctozenus australis Ho et Duhamel, 2019 (Pisces: Aulopiformes, Paralepididae) off Kerguelen Islands

This work clarifies the morphological data for the recently described species Arctozenus australis Ho et Duhamel, 2019. Specimens caught in the northwest of the known range of the species confirm the validity of diagnostic characters and expand the known range of the following parameters: predorsal length, prepelvic length, preanal length, distance between origins of dorsal and anal fins, head depth, distance between origins of dorsal and pelvic fins, interorbital width, caudal-peduncle depth, snout length, upper-jaw length, lower jaw, number of caudal vertebrae, preanal vertebrae, and anal fin rays.

The Reduction of the Size of Wolves of the Same Age of the Northwestern Black Sea Region in the 21st Century

Four craniological parameters were compared in two groups of young wolves born during the period of abundance depression and recovery from it (1950‒1984) and wolves born during the peak of abundance and decline (2000‒2018). It was found that the average values of the condylobasal length and zygomatic width of males and females of the first group were higher than those of the wolves of the second group. The interorbital width and postorbital width did not change significantly. The reason for the temporary increase in some parameters of the skull may be manifestations of somatic heterosis due to population regroupings and mating of unrelated parents in the population depression phase.

Two new hypogean species of Triplophysa (Cypriniformes: Nemacheilidae) from the River Yangtze drainage in Guizhou, China

Two hypogean species of genus Triplophysa are herein described from two subterranean tributaries of the River Yangtze drainage in Guiyang City, Guizhou Province, China. Triplophysa wudangensis, new species, can be distinguished from its congeners by the combination of the following characters: eye reduced, with diameter 5.1-6.5% HL; interorbital width 33.1-35.8% HL; body scaleless; lateral line complete; posterior chamber of air bladder degenerated; anterior nostril with elongated barbel-like tip; distal margin of dorsal fin truncate; dorsal fin with 7, anal fin with 5, and caudal fin with 14 branched fin rays; vertebrae 4 + 34. Triplophysa qingzhenensis, new species, can be distinguished from its congeners by the combination of the following characters: eye reduced, with diameter 2.1-4.4% HL; interorbital width 25.1-30.4% HL; body scaleless; lateral line complete; posterior chamber of air bladder degenerated; anterior nostril with elongated barbel-like tip; distal margin of dorsal fin truncate; dorsal fin with 7-8, anal fin with 5, and caudal fin with 14 branched fin rays; vertebrae 4 + 36. Molecular phylogenetic analysis supported the validity of these two new species and indicated their close relationship with Triplophysa rosa.

Engyprosopon keliaoense, a new lefteye flounder (Teleostei: Bothidae) from Taiwan

A new bothid flounder, Engyprosopon keliaoense sp. nov., is described on the basis of 4 specimens collected from off southwestern Taiwan. The new species belongs to these congeners with a pair of black botches on the caudal fin and is most similar to E. grandisquama (Temminck & Schlegel). It can be separated from the latter by having smaller upper and lower eyes, narrower interorbital width, shorter pectoral fin on the ocular side, and more scales in the lateral line. Investigation on Rhombus grandisquama and its junior synonyms revealed that Rhombodoichthys spilurus Günther and Rhombus poecilurus Bleeker are retained as junior synonyms of E. grandisquama, whereas Rhombodoichthys spiniceps Macleay and Scaeops orbicularis Jordan & Seale are now excluded from the synonymy of E. grandisquama.

Neodontobutis lani, a new sleeper fish of the family Odontobutidae (Teleostei: Gobiiformes) from Guangxi, southern China.

A new species, Neodontobutis lani (Odontobutidae) is described from the Zuojiang River, a tributary of the Xijiang River of the Pearl River basin, at Longzhou Town, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Southern China. This species can be distinguished from other Neodontobutis species by following characters: anterior head flat, with interorbital width / eye diameter = 1.41.9 (vs. less than 1.4); several rows (vs. single row) of transforming ctenii on posterior edges of body scales; sensory papilla on lower jaw arranged in two oblong clusters (vs. two single lines). It can be distinguished from Odontobutis species by: separated right and left gill membrane (vs. joined); barbel-like projection present on sensory papillae. Molecular phylogenetic analysis of 2,076 nuclear coding loci indicates that N. lani is a sister species of N. hainanensis, the only Neodontobutis species that has been described from China.

Ariosoma indicum sp. nov., a new species of congrid eel (Anguilliformes: Congridae: Bathymyrinae) from the Indian waters.

Ariosoma indicum sp. nov. is described herein based on 12 specimens [(335-433 mm total length (TL)] collected off the Arabian Sea of southwest coast of India and 7 specimens from Digha Mohana, off the Bay of Bengal of northeast coast of India. The new species is distinguished from congeners in having the following combination of the characters: anus positioned anterior to middle of total length, pre-anal length 40.0%-43.1% of TL; short wedge-shaped pointed vomerine teeth patch, three or four rows in anterior portion, tapering posteriorly with four uniserial teeth; supraorbital canal with four or five pores; pre-dorsal vertebrae 9-10; pre-anal vertebrae 49-53; total vertebrae 141-146; body greenish-brown in colour; extremities of the lower jaw with minute dark pigmentation patches before the rictus, bicoloured pectoral fin. A. indicum shares few characters with the Indian water species, Ariosoma gnanadossi, but readily differs from the latter in having more pre-anal vertebrae (49-53 vs. 47 in A. gnanadossi); fewer lateral-line pores (130-137 vs. 145); shorter tail (54.9%-57.9% TL vs. 60.1% TL); smaller eye (15.1%-17.7% HL vs. 19.2% HL); smaller interorbital width (11.8%-15.7% HL vs. 18.2% HL); longer upper jaw (26.9%-30.2% HL vs. 19.2% HL). In addition, molecular analysis using partial mitochondrial COI gene suggests that A. indicum is genetically closer to Ariosoma maurostigma and Ariosoma melanospilos with a divergence of 15.0% and 15.8%, respectively, and forms a well-supported monophyletic clade.

Craniomaxillofacial morphology in a murine model of ephrinB1 conditional deletion in osteoprogenitor cells

ObjectiveEFNB1 mutation causes craniofrontonasal dysplasia (CFND), a congenital syndrome associated with craniomaxillofacial anomalies characterised by coronal craniosynostosis, orbital hypertelorism, and midface dysplasia. The aim of this murine study was to investigate the effect of the EfnB1 conditional gene deletion in osteoprogenitor cells on the craniomaxillofacial skeletal morphology. DesignThe skulls of male and female mice, in which EfnB1 was deleted by Cre (a site-specific DNA recombinase) under the control of the Osterix (Osx) promoter (EfnB1OB-/-), were compared to those without EfnB1 deletion (Osx:Cre control) at two ages (4 and 8 weeks; n = 6 per group). The three-dimensional micro-computed tomography reconstructions were prepared to calculate 17 linear measurements in the cranial vault (brain box), midface and mandible. Coronal and sagittal sutures from the 8-week-old mice were also subjected to histological examination. ResultsEfnB1OB-/- mice displayed significantly larger cranial height, larger interorbital and nasal widths, smaller maxillary width than controls by 8 weeks (p < 0.05), but mandibular size was not significantly different (p > 0.05). Binomial testing showed significantly smaller EfnB1OB-/- skulls at 4 weeks but larger at 8 weeks (p < 0.05). Histological examination revealed increased bony fusion and fibrous connective tissue deposition at the coronal suture of EfnB1OB-/- mice compared with controls. ConclusionsCraniofacial phenotype of the murine model of EfnB1 deletion in osteoprogenitor cells partially represents the human CFND phenotype, with implications for better understanding mechanisms involved in skeletal morphogenesis and malocclusion.

Morphometric Analysis of Orbital Cavity in South Indian Population

Introduction: Each orbital cavity is actually meant as a socket for the eyeball. The human orbit is a complicated anatomic area, which performs predominant position in the craniofacial complex.&#x0D; Aim: The aim of the study is to provide the normal reference orbital parameters for the south Indian population.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: The present study has adopted 30 south Indian dry skulls. An orbital cavity was measured using vernier callipers. With the help of vernier calliper and ruler, the measurements such as length, breadth of the orbital cavity and biorbital breadth, interorbital breadth of the orbital cavity were measured. The paired t-test is the statistical method used in this study.&#x0D; Results: The mean orbital breadth of the right orbit is 34.6±1.777 and left orbit was 34.701±1.711&#x0D; The mean orbital height of the right orbit is 33.417±1.494 and the left orbit is 33.38±1.560. The mean biorbital breadth of the orbital cavity is 94.16 ± 2.533 and means interorbital breadth of the orbital cavity is 20.615±1.172. Paired t test demonstrated no significant statistical difference between the right and left orbit.&#x0D; Conclusion: The orbital cavity additionally used for determination of sex and ethnic courses of a cadaver and its phase of the cranium that posses manipulate over sexual dimorphic traits.

Differences in anthropometric measures of the orbit between Serbian and Roma populations of the Central Serbia

Introduction/Objectives. The shape and size of the orbital cavity are important parameters in planning surgical interventions and have significance in anthropology and forensic medicine. The aim of this study was to determine the morphometric characteristics of orbital cavity in Serbian population and to examine if there are differences in examined parameters between Serbs and the Roma Community of Serbia. Methods. Using computer tomography and subsequent multiplanar reconstruction we analyzed orbits from 76 Serbian and 18 Roma healthy volunteers. There was no significant difference in age between the ethnicities. Results. The height and width of the left orbit and the height of the right orbit were significantly higher in Roma group, whereas the width of the right orbit was not statistically different between ethnicities. Orbital indices, however, for both left and right orbit did not significantly differ between Serbian and Roma examinees. Right orbital volume did not differ between the groups, but left orbits had significantly larger volumes in Roma population. Finally, biorbital and interorbital width were both significantly higher in Roma than in Serbian examinees. We could not show differences between sexes except for the biorbital width, which had lower values in Serbian, but not Roma women than in men. Conclusion. Taken together, our results indicate larger orbits, as well as greater distances between the eyes in Roma than in Serbian examinees.