
doi: 10.1002/jmor.21315
pmid: 33377231
Abstract Torpediniformes (electric rays) is a monophyletic group strongly supported by morphological and molecular phylogenetic studies. The claspers of electric rays, however, are poorly documented in comparation to the clasper of other batoids, especially skates, and the knowledge of their anatomical variation is restricted to the description of a few species. The present article analyzes the external and skeletal clasper anatomy of electric rays and reports newly discovered characters that can be useful for taxonomic diagnoses and higher‐level systematic studies. The family Torpedinidae exclusively presents the integumental flap, a poorly calcified clasper skeleton, and a dorsal marginal cartilage with a medial flange on its distal portion. Derived or diagnostic characters were not found in the clasper of the reportedly nonmonophyletic families Narcinidae and Narkidae; however, the claspers of species and genera of narcinids and narkids present different anatomical patterns that can be useful for taxonomic and phylogenetic studies.
Cartilage, Animal Structures, Animals, Torpedo, Phylogeny
Cartilage, Animal Structures, Animals, Torpedo, Phylogeny
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 4 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Average | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Average |
