Nomenclature of Cartilaginous Elements in the Caudal Skeleton of Teleostean Fishes

Abstract

Nomenclature and abbreviations are proposed for the cartilaginous elements of the caudal skeleton of teleostean fishes. These were developed on the basis of examination of 510 species within 198 families of 31 orders and the determination of the positional relationship between these structures and the bony elements. A review of the most important relative literature is also provided.