Paralepididae

Paralepididae View in CoL View at ENA ( Aulopiformes ) ( Fig. 15 View Figure 15 )

In Arctozenus risso there are two large CMCs ( Fig. 15A, B View Figure 15 ). Their three-dimensional structure is complex: in lateral view they have a somewhat rectangular to irregular shape. Seen from the posterior side, they are slightly cordate with their tips pointing to, and almost contacting, each other. There seems to be strong connective tissue between those tips.As the CMCs have articulatory facets on their anterior part they look slightly bean-shaped when seen from above. The lowest ray of the upper lobe articulates in the contact area of the upper CMC with hypural 3. The uppermost ray of the lower lobe articulates on hypural 2, hardly having any contact to the lower CMC. In Lestrolepis japonica there is only a single CMC on the distal diastemal edge of hypural 2 ( Fig. 15C View Figure 15 ). It forms a cap on the hypural edge and has about the same width as the hypural plate and a small, medial, anteriorly directed tip ( Fig. 15C View Figure 15 ). When seen from posterior it is somewhat cordate with its tip pointing dorsally and anteriorly ( Fig. 15D View Figure 15 ). There is no association to any caudal fin ray visible.