The brain of Brycon orbignyanus (Valenciennes, 1850) (Teleostei: Characiformes: Bryconidae): gross morphology and phylogenetic considerations

ABSTRACT

The brain of Brycon orbignyanus is described as a model for future studies of the gross morphology of the central nervous system in Characiformes. The study of brain gross morphology of 48 distinct taxa of Characiformes, one of Cypriniformes, two of Siluriformes and two of Gymnotiformes, allowed us to propose, for the first time, six putative brain synapomorphies for the Characiformes and also two possibly unique gross brain morphology characters for the Siluriformes. A detailed protocol for the extraction of the brain in Characiformes is also provided.

Keywords:
Comparative morphology; Encephalon; Ostariophysi; Otophysi; Putative synapomorphies