Lateral Scales Research Articles

Betta nuluhon, a new species of fighting fish from western Sabah, Malaysia (Teleostei: Osphronemidae).

Betta nuluhon, new species, is described from a hill stream habitat in western Sabah. This species is allied to both B. chini and B. balunga, and differs from rest of its congeners in the B. akarensis group in having the following combination of characters: yellow iris when live; mature males with greenish-blue iridescence on opercle when live; mature fish with distinct transverse bars on caudal fin; slender body (body depth 22.1-25.2 % SL); belly area with faint reticulate pattern (scales posteriorly rimmed with black); absence of tiny black spots on anal fin; lateral scales 29-31 (mode 30); predorsal scales 20-21 (mode 20). Notes on a fresh series of B. chini are also provided.

A Single-Center, Prospective Trial Investigating Effects of Combined Infrared, Radiofrequency, Mechanical Massage, and Suction Treatment on Submental and Lateral Neck Tissue Contouring

There are many treatments for neck laxity and fullness, both invasive and noninvasive. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of combined infrared, radiofrequency, mechanical massage, and suction therapy in performing contour changes in the submental and lateral neck regions. This was a single-center, prospective cohort study in which 30 patients were treated with a session of combined infrared, radiofrequency, mechanical massage, and suction therapy once a week for 4 weeks. Follow-up was performed at posttreatment months 1, 3, and 6. Both subjects and investigators completed submental fat grading scales and lateral neck and jowl linear analog scales. Exclusion criteria included history of soft tissue augmentation, cosmetic injections, ablative or nonablative skin resurfacing, or surgical procedures in the lower facial region, as well as weight gain or loss exceeding 10 pounds during the study period. There was a significant difference between mean ± SD neck and jowl investigator scores at day 0 and month 6, which were 5.6 ± 0.9 and 4.4 ± 1.0, respectively ( P < .05). Mean investigator submental fat score at day 0 was 1.9 ± 0.7 vs 1.5 ± 0.6 ( P = .04) at month 6. Differences between mean patient neck and jowl and submental fat scores were also statistically significant between day 0 and month 6. At day 0, the mean patient neck and jowl score was 4.7 ± 0.8 vs 3.2 ± 1.1 at month 6 ( P < .05), and at day 0, the mean patient submental fat score was 2.2 ± 0.5 vs 1.8 ± 0.6 at month 6 ( P < .05). Combined infrared, radiofrequency, mechanical massage, and suction therapy provides an effective, noninvasive treatment modality for improving contour of the lateral neck and submentum.

Discovery of A New Teleost Fish, Puntius ocellus from Kerala, India

A new Puntius species is described from a freshwater stream of Kerala, India. It is related to Puntius mahecola, P. amphibius, P. euspilurus, and P. kyphus; all these are small elongate fishes with laterally compressed body having a non-ossified and weak last simple dorsal fin ray. But the new fish shows a number of differences from its close relative species. It can be distinguished from its congeners in having a pointed and unusually elongated snout, a weak and non-osseous last simple dorsal fin ray, 23-24 lateral line scales, 2 ½ scales between lateral line and ventral fin, 7-8 predorsal scales, and a distinct golden or yellow ring surrounding its large caudal black spot on posterior most lateral line scales. The new fish is not uncommon in the water bodies of Kazargod; it is edible and can be used as ornamental fish. The new species is taxonomically analyzed and compared with its congeners.

Taxonomy and systematics of the 'Maharaja Barbs' (Teleostei: Cyprinidae), with the description of a new genus and species from the Western Ghats, India.

Maharaja Barbs (Teleostei: Cyprinidae), endemic to the high-altitude streams of the northern Western Ghats are currently represented by a single species, Puntius sahyadriensis. Integrative taxonomic analysis of these fishes reveals them to form a distinct clade within the Cyprinidae, for which we propose the name Waikhomia gen. nov. Waikhomia differs from Puntius and other closely related genera by a combination of characters including: barbels absent; last unbranched dorsal-fin ray smooth, with highly segmented apex; total vertebrae 30 (17 abdominal and 13 caudal); post-epiphysial fontanelle absent, frontals elongated, parietals narrow; infraorbital 2-4 large, deep and wide, overlapping cheek and preopercle; opercle not overlapping the interopercle laterally; free uroneural 2 absent; lateral line complete, with 23-25 perforated scales; pelvic fins jet black with tip of fins white; and body coloration consisting of multiple (6-8) spots and blotches on side of body. We also describe a new species of Waikhomia from the west-flowing Kali river system in the northern part of the Western Ghats, India. The new species, Waikhomia hira is distinguished from W. sahyadriensis by a combination of characters including a distinct body coloration, consisting of 7-8 small, rhomboidal spots arranged across the lateral-line scale row; 23--25 perforated lateral line scales; 10 pre-dorsal scales and 2-3 sparsely spaced gill rakers on epibranchial 1. Further, W. hira differs from its sister taxon, W. sahyadriensis, by a raw genetic distance ranging from 4.3-4.9% in partial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1, and 7.0-8.2% in partial cytochrome b genes.

Inter-population variability in morphology and reproduction of Alburnus alburnus (Linnaeus, 1758) from Bosnia and Herzegovina

Inter-population variability in morphological traits and fecundity of Alburnus alburnus (Linnaeus, 1758) from Bosnia and Herzegovina was analysed in this study. The results of the analyses based on 21 standard measurements and six meristic characters have shown the highest variation between distance between pelvic (ventral) fins and anal aperture. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicate statistically significant differences between six populations. Differences among meristic characters have been tested by Multiple Comparisons Kruskal-Wallas. Obtained results indicate statistically significant difference among samples for number of branched rays for caudal fin (KA/Ca), lateral line scales (Le) and a number of gill rackers (Rac). Discriminant function analysis indicate characters that had the strongest effect on the geographical variation between A. alburnus samples from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Characters with the strongest discriminant power are: preanal distance, length of pectoral fin, length of the ventral (pelvic) fin, minimum body height, caudal fins branched rays, and pelvic fins branched rays.Values for weight of the gonads and gonadosomatic index (GSI) have not shown any statistically significant difference among observed bleak populations. Regression analysis has been used to estimate the relations between GSI and standard length, body, and gonads weight. The gonadosomatic index has shown positive, non substational, relationship to gonads weight.

A new species of Eremias (Squamata: Lacertidae) from the arid mountains of Pakistan.

A new, morphologically distinctive lacertid lizard of the genus Eremias (Rhabderemias) is described from the arid mountains of northwestern Balochistan Province in Pakistan. Eremias kakari sp. nov. has an isolated distribution and can be easily distinguished from all other species of mainly desert subgenus Rhabderemias (E. andersoni, E. cholistanica, E. fasciata, E. lineolata, E. pleskei, E. scripta, E. vermiculata). Apart from other differences, E. kakari sp. nov. can be distinguished from geographically close members of the subgenus Rhabderemias (E. cholistanica, E. fasciata, and E. scripta) by having a single row of subdigital lamellae and a complete row of lateral scales and hence three scales around the penultimate phalanx of 4th toe. The new species is morphologically (dorsal pattern) very similar to E. fasciata but can be distinguished from this species for having 22-26 subdigital lamellae under 4th toe, 48-55 dorsal scales across midbody, ventrals in 11-14 oblique longitudinal series across the belly, 17-21 femoral pores and 17-21 scales in the 9th-10th annulus posterior to the postcloacal granules. The new species is currently known only from the type locality situated in the Toba Kakar Range, near to Tanishpa village. However, we expect that Eremias kakari sp. nov. would have a broader range in northwestern Pakistan and southeastern Afghanistan. An identification key for the Pakistani Eremias, together with other remarks to the new species, is presented.

NEW DISTRIBUTIONAL RECORD OF THE BEARDLESS BARB Cyclocheilichthys apogon (VALENCIENNES, 1842) (CYPRINIFORMES: CYPRINIDAE) FROM MADURA ISLAND, INDONESIA

Beardless Barb Cyclocheilichthys apogon (Valenciennes, 1842) is a species known from Southeast Asia, including Western Indonesia area (Borneo, Sumatra and Java). In Java Island, it was previously found in the mainland area. This paper provides the first record of C. apogon in the Lembung River, one of the major rivers in Madura Island, thereby extending the species distribution up to 150 km northeast from the earlier record. The specimens of C. apogon were characterized as follows: dorsal fin rays 12; anal fin rays 8–9; pectoral fin rays 17–18; lateral line scales 34–35. A description of detailed morfological characters of a specimen are provided.

A new species of Hemiodus Müller (Characiformes: Hemiodontidae) from the lower Rio Xingu, Brazil.

A new species of Hemiodus is described from the Rio Xingu basin, Pará, Brazil. It is distinguished from congeners by the combination of presence of a dark longitudinal stripe extending from head to tip of lower caudal-fin lobe, an oblique blotch on dorsal-fin, 9-11 scale rows above lateral line, 58-66 perforated lateral line scales, and 17-20 circumpeduncular scales. Comments on the conservation status of the new species, as well as its relationships among Hemiodus species, are made.

Barbus xanthos, a new barbel from the Southern Aegean basin (Teleostei: Cyprinidae).

Barbus xanthos, a new species, is described from the Eşen, Dalaman, Tersakan and Büyük Menderes rivers in south-western Anatolia. It differs from other Barbus species in the adjacent basins by having 53-60 lateral line scales, a weakly ossified last unbranched dorsal-fin ray (about 33-50%), numerous small irregular-shaped black or dark-brown spots smaller than scales, often forming large, black or dark-brown blotches on back and flank in juveniles and adults, and a straight or slightly convex posterior dorsal-fin margin. B. xanthos differs from its most closely related congener, B. pergamonensis, by nine nucleotide substitution sites in the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase I barcode region.

Body shape variation of Garra rufa (Heckel) (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) using geometric and morphometric techniques

Organisms can adapt to habitat conditions that ensure their survival. Habitat separation can lead to different populations of body shape during the phenotypic plasticity process. Both traditional and modern (geometric) morphology are being used in fish population studies. In this study, the body shape differences between Garra rufa (Heckel) populations captured in the Jarrahi River (from the Tigris Basin) were investigated using traditional and geometric morphometric methods. The samples were captured from the Rostam Abad, Aghajari and Behbahan tributaries and transferred to the laboratory. For the traditional morphometric analysis, 10 meristic characters and 19 morphometric characters were measured. Geometric morphological information was extracted using 13 landmark points on left side photographs of individual fish. According to the results of the traditional morphometric analysis, there were differences between the three populations in meristic (lateral line scales, predorsal scales, circamucaudal scales) and morphometric (14 of 19 characters) traits. In the geometric morphometric analysis, the major part of the shape variation is due to landmark points in the head region and the dorsal fin base, with the anal fin and caudal peduncle being the most conservative body regions. The populations had significant differences in body shape with populations from Aghajari and Behbahan tributaries being most similar and the Rostam Abad population was different from the two other populations.

Parosphromenus barbarae, a new species of Licorice Gourami from Sarawak, Borneo (Teleostei: Osphronemidae)

In Sarawak, there are two main populations of Parosphromenus known, the eastern population linked to the Rejang River basin being P. allani, and the western population linked to the Batang Kayan basin, is herein described as P. barbarae, new species. Parosphromenus barbarae differs from its most similar species, P. allani, in having a distinct black ocellus on caudal-fin base, indistinct dark brown ocellus on posterior base of dorsal-fin; presence of clearly demarcated subdistal hyaline band on anal fin (vs. faint); dorsal-fin rays XI – XIV, 4 – 5 (total count 15 – 18, mode 17); anal-fin rays XI – XIII, 6 – 10 (total count 19 – 21, mode 21); lateral scales 29 – 31½ (mode 29).

Hidden species diversity in Marcusenius moorii (Teleostei: Mormyridae) from the Congo Basin.

New collections from the Yangambi Biosphere Reserve (YBR) and Okapi Wildlife Reserve (OWR) revealed the presence of two groups of specimens similar to, but different from Marcusenius moorii. To study both these groups, an integrated morphological and genetic (mtDNA, cytb) approach was used. This study revealed that one of the two groups is conspecific with Marcusenius lambouri, a junior synonym of M. moorii, which is herein revalidated, with M. moorii longulus as its junior synonym. Marcusenius lambouri differs from M. moorii by a higher number of lateral line scales (44-46 vs. 40-43), a shorter pectoral-fin length (14.6-19.9 vs. 20.3-25.2% standard length; LS ) and a more elongated body due to a usually shallower middle body depth (19.8-26.5 vs. 26.3-35.9% LS ). The other group revealed to be a new species for science, Marcusenius verheyenorum, which can be distinguished from its congeners with eight circumpeduncular scales by the following unique combination of characters: a rounded head with a terminal mouth; a short and deep caudal peduncle (middle caudal-peduncle depth, 44.9-54.6% caudal-peduncle length; LCP ), a deep body (middle body depth, 27.7-34.2% LS ), 38-43 scales on the lateral line, 40-41 vertebrae, 20-21 dorsal-fin rays and 26 anal-fin rays. Some specimens previously attributed to M. moorii were examined and reassigned to M. lambouri or M. verheyenorum. As a result, M. moorii and M. lambouri occur in sympatry in the middle Congo Basin, with the distribution area of M. moorii still further extending into the lower Congo Basin. Instead, the distribution of M. verheyenorum is limited to some right bank tributaries of the upstream part of the middle Congo Basin. Two museum records from the Lilanda River (YBR), collected in the 1950s and previously identified as M. moorii, were re-identified as belonging to the new species, M. verheyenorum. However, the species now seems locally extinct in that region, which reflects the significant anthropogenic effects even within this reserve.

Integrative taxonomy reveals a new species of pacu (Characiformes: Serrasalmidae: Myloplus) from the Brazilian Amazon

ABSTRACT Pacus of the genus Myloplus represent a formidable taxonomic challenge, and particularly so for the case of M. asterias and M. rubripinnis, two widespread and common species that harbor considerable morphological diversity. Here we apply DNA barcoding and multiple species discovery methods to find candidate species in this complex group. We report on one well-supported lineage that is also morphologically and ecologically distinct. This lineage represents a new species that can be distinguished from congeners by the presence of dark chromatophores on lateral-line scales, which gives the appearance of a black lateral line. It can be further diagnosed by having 25-29 branched dorsal-fin rays (vs. 18-24), 89-114 perforated scales from the supracleithrum to the end of hypural plate (vs. 56-89), and 98-120 total lateral line scales (vs. 59-97). The new species is widely distributed in the Amazon basin, but seems to have a preference for black- and clearwater habitats. This ecological preference and black lateral line color pattern bears a striking similarity to the recently described silver dollar Metynnis melanogrammus.

A guiding path for graphene circuits

Nanoelectronics The favorable optical, electronic, and mechanical properties of graphene make it a target material for nextgeneration opto-electronics. However, that graphene is an atomic layer thick, or several for bilayer and few-layer graphene, can make it challenging to pattern circuits with usual lithographic methods, especially at lateral nanometer scales. Cheng et al. show that a carbon nanotube, separated from the graphene by a thin layer of hexagonal boron nitride, creates a one-dimensional conduction path in the graphene that can be controlled by electrostatic gating. Demonstrating that the charged massless quasiparticles, Dirac fermions, can now be confined to an electronic waveguide provides a route to developing a platform for patterning complex graphene circuitry. Phys. Rev. Lett. 123 , 216804 (2019).

Sardinella alcyone n. sp., a new sardine (Teleostei: Clupeiformes: Clupeidae) from the northwestern Pacific Ocean.

The new sardine Sardinella alcyone n. sp. is described on the basis of 19 specimens collected from the Ryukyu Islands, Japan and southwestern Taiwan. The new species closely resembles Sardinella pacifica Hata Motomura 2019, both species having lateral scales with centrally discontinuous striae, a dark spot on the dorsal-fin origin, the pelvic fin with 8 rays, deciduous body scales, and very similar numbers of prepelvic and postpelvic scutes, scale rows in the longitudinal series, and pseudobranchial filaments. However, the new species is distinguished from S. pacifica by having lower total gill-raker counts on the first, second, third and fourth gill arches, and on the posterior face of the third gill arch (99-112, 97-115, 79-98, 62-77, and 25-31, respectively, vs. 112-137, 112-148, 95-127, 78-106, and 30-43), and greater pectoral fin (20.7-23.4% SL vs. 18.2-20.8%), pelvic fin (11.9-13.1% SL vs. 10.3-11.9%), maxilla (10.8-12.4% SL vs. 9.3-10.9%), lower jaw (11.8-13.4% SL vs. 10.4-11.6%), and pre-anal-fin length (77.4-82.3% SL vs. 72.9-79.3%) proportions.

Palissya – absolutely incomprehensible or surprisingly interpretable: a new morphological model, affiliations and phylogenetic insights

Abstract The morphology of the adaxial structures of cones belonging to Palissya Endlicher 1847 emend. nov. are reinterpreted based on exquisitely preserved permineralised material from the Lower Cretaceous of Queensland. Although the material was not found in situ, it likely derives from the Orallo Formation, which is Valanginian in age. The cones have dual vascular bundles in each bract/scale complex, and the different tissue types in the bract and ovule/scale complex support interpretation of the cone as a compound structure. Since the early twentieth century it has been widely accepted that each ovule is surrounded by a cup-shaped structure, but the detailed morphology of the “cup” has hitherto been unclear. These new three-dimensionally preserved specimens with in situ ovules are described as Palissya tillackiorum sp. nov. This study demonstrates that the “cup” is formed from a pair of thin scales that subtend but are not fused to each ovule; each pair of scales comprises a thicker outer and thinner inner scale. The organographic relationships among ovules and scales in Palissya show a high degree of synorganisation. The adaxial surface of the bract/scale complex has 2–6 pairs of erect (orthotropous) ovules. The ovule/scale units are arranged symmetrically in two parallel rows on either side of the midline of the bract/scale. Individual ovule/scale units are comparable to those seen in extant Podocarpaceae and Taxaceae. The ovules are thin-walled and are interpreted to have a single integument and a non-thickened (non-lignified) micropyle. These new insights allow reinterpretation of material previously referred to Palissya. A new species is described from Yorkshire, England, as P. harrisii C.R. Hill ex Pattemore & Rozefelds sp. nov. All species based on well preserved cones are reconsidered herein: P. sphenolepis (Braun 1843) Nathorst 1908 emend. Florin 1958, P. elegans Parris, Drinnan & Cantrill 1995 emend. nov., P. bartrumii Edwards 1934 emend. nov., P. antarctica Cantrill 2000 and P. hunanensis Wang 2012. Palissya ovalis Parris et al. 1995 differs structurally from Palissya and is transferred to Knezourocarpon Pattemore 2000 emend. nov. Representatives of this genus may superficially resemble those of Palissya in compressions and impressions, and their congeneric status has been previously suggested; hence its inclusion in this study. Knezourocarpon has adaxial processes that are positioned in two parallel rows but it lacks ovules and paired lateral scales that formed a cup-shape, and its processes attach directly to a central vascular trace. The improved understanding of Palissya’s morphology allows for definite separation of these genera, although the higher-order affiliation of Knezourocarpon remains unclear.

Two new species of dwarf rainbowfishes (Atheriniformes: Melanotaeniidae) from northern Australia and southern New Guinea.

The 'maccullochi species group' of rainbowfishes are small and distinctly patterned freshwater fishes of streams and swamps, comprising around eight species. The species from which the group bears its name, Melanotaenia maccullochi Ogilby, 1915, has been thought to comprise three forms occurring in distinct geographic areas, and recent mitochondrial genetic data provides matching patterns of likely inter-specific divergence. Here we undertake a detailed investigation of the taxonomic status of M. maccullochi using a combined lines of evidence approach incorporating multiple nuclear genetic markers (55 allozyme loci), mitochondrial DNA sequence data (1141 bp cytochrome b) and morphology (examination of a suite of 38 morphometric and meristic characters). As all three datasets provide support for a three-way split, we accordingly describe two new species and redescribe M. maccullochi sensu stricto. McCulloch's RainbowfishM. maccullochi, a species with brown body stripes and red fins occurs in northeast Queensland and is redescribed based on 338 specimens, 13.1-53.0 mm SL. This species was one of the first rainbowfishes to become known in the aquarium hobby. A second form with darker stripes on a contrasting light white-grey body and with distinct sub-marginal black bands in the dorsal and anal fins, distributed across northern and eastern Cape York Peninsula, Torres Strait and southern central New Guinea, is described as Sahul Rainbowfish M.sahulensis sp. nov. based on 267 specimens, 13.4-48.4 mm SL. A diminutive and well geographically isolated form occurring below the escarpment of the Tabletop Range in Litchfield National Park, Northern Territory possessing a more prominent and purplish mid-lateral stripe, is described as the Little Rainbowfish Melanotaenia wilsoni sp. nov. based on 50 specimens, 19.3-33.3 mm SL. A combination of morphological characters is useful for separating the respective taxa with M. wilsoni sp. nov. the most distinctive, typically having fewer vertebrae, lateral scales, cheek scales, procurrent caudal rays and anal rays and proportionally a shorter maxilla and snout than either of the other two species. Useful characters for further separating M.sahulensis sp. nov. from M. maccullochi include slightly higher counts of vertebrae, lateral scales and anal rays and proportionally greater body depth, body width and pre-dorsal distance. Information on the known distribution, habitats and conservation status of the three species is summarised, with the Northern Territory species being a narrow-range endemic with specific environmental requirements.

Control of baroclinic instability by submesoscale topography

This study explores the control of mesoscale variability by topographic features with lateral scales that are less than the scale of the eddies generated by baroclinic instability. These dynamics are described using a combination of numerical simulations and an asymptotic multiscale model. The multiscale method makes it possible to express the system dynamics by a closed set of equations written entirely in terms of mesoscale variables, thereby providing a physical basis for the development of submesoscale parameterization schemes. The submesoscale topography is shown to influence such fundamental properties of mesoscale variability as the meridional eddy-induced transport and eddy kinetic energy. It is argued that the adverse influence of submesoscale topography on baroclinic instability is ultimately caused by the homogenization tendency of potential vorticity in the bottom density layer. The multiscale model formally assumes a substantial separation between the scales of interacting flow components. However, the comparison of asymptotic solutions with their submesoscale-resolving numerical counterparts indicates that the multiscale method is remarkably accurate even when scale separation is virtually non-existent.

Diploid hybrid fish derived from the cross between female Bleeker\u2019s yellow tail and male topmouth culter, two cyprinid fishes belonging to different subfamilies

BackgroundBleeker’s yellow tail (Xenocypris davidi Bleeker, YT) and topmouth culter (Culter alburnus Basilewsky, TC) are both famous and important economic freshwater fish in China. YT, a kind of omnivorous fish, has strong resistance. TC, a kind of carnivorous fish, has high-quality meat but poor resistance. Distant hybridization can integrate the advantages of both parents. There has been no previous report regarding hybrid fish derived from female YT × male TC. It is expected that hybridization of these two kinds of fish will result in F1 hybrids with improved characteristics, such as faster growth rate, stronger resistance, and high-quality meat, which are of great significance in fish genetic breeding.ResultsIn this study, we investigated the main biological characteristics of diploid hybrid fish derived from female YT × male TC. The hybrids had an intermediate number of upper lateral line scales between those for YT and TC. The hybrids were diploids with 48 chromosomes and had the same karyotype formula as their parents. The hybrids generated variations in 5S rDNA (designated class IV: 212 bp) and lost specific 5S rDNA derived from the maternal parent (designated class II: 221 bp), which might be related to hybridization. In terms of reproductive traits, all the tested female hybrids exhibited normal gonadal development, and the two-year-old F1 females produced mature eggs. However, all the tested testes of the male hybrids could not produce mature sperm. It is possible that the hybrid lineage will be established by back-crossing the fertile female hybrids and their parents.ConclusionsObtaining a fertile female hybrid fish made the creation of a new type of fish possible, which was significant in fish genetic breeding.

Fired bullet signature correlation using the Congruent Matching Profile Segments (CMPS) method

We introduce the Congruent Matching Profile Segments (CMPS) method for objective comparison of striated tool marks and apply it to bullet signature correlations. The method is derived from the congruent matching cell (CMC) method developed for the comparison of impressed tool marks. The proposed method is designed to increase comparison accuracy by addressing the comparison challenges caused by striae profiles with different lateral scales, varying vertical (height) scales, and sections that are poorly marked or have little to no similarity. Instead of correlating the entire profiles extracted from striated tool marks, the method divides one of the compared profiles into segments. Each segment is then correlated with the other profile. The CMPS method uses the normalized cross-correlation function with multiple correlation peak inspection to determine the number of profile segments that have both significant topography similarity and a congruent registration position. Initial tests were performed on the land engraved areas (LEAs) of 35 bullets fired from 10 consecutively manufactured pistol barrels. The results show clear separation between the CMPS scores of the 549 known non-matching (KNM) LEA profiles and the 46 known matching (KM) LEA profiles. These results are an improvement over those obtained using the correlation coefficient score of whole profiles. The large number of CMPS segment correlations may facilitate a statistical approach to error rate estimations.