W&M ScholarWorks Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects Theses, Dissertations, & Master Projects 2014 Phylogenetic Systematics of the Prickleback Family Stichaeidae (Cottiformes: Zoarcoidei) using Morphological Data Todd R. Clardy College of William and Mary - Virginia Institute of Marine Science Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.wm.edu/etd Part of the Zoology Commons Recommended Citation Clardy, Todd R., "Phylogenetic Systematics of the Prickleback Family Stichaeidae (Cottiformes: Zoarcoidei) using Morphological Data" (2014). Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects. Paper 1539616612. https://dx.doi.org/doi:10.25773/v5-fyer-5n47 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Theses, Dissertations, & Master Projects at W&M ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects by an authorized administrator of W&M ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Phylogenetic Systematics of the Prickleback Family Stichaeidae (Cottiformes: Zoarcoidei) Using Morphological Data A Dissertation Presented to The Faculty of the School of Marine Science The College of William & Mary in Virginia In Partial Fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy by Todd R. Clardy 2014 UMI Number: 3582016 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. Di!ss0?t&iori Piiblist’Mlg UMI 3582016 Published by ProQuest LLC 2015. Copyright in the Dissertation held by the Author. Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. ProQuest LLC 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 APPROVAL SHEET This dissertation is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy S Todd R. Clardy Approved, by the Committee, August 2014 Ericf J. Hilton, Ph.D. Committee Chairman/Advisor WolMandvoael Richard Brill, Ph.D. Tracey Sutton, Ph.D. Bruce B. Collette, Ph.D. National Marine Fisheries Service Washington, D.C. DEDICATION This dissertation is dedicated to the memory of VIMS professor Dr. John E. Olney. I had the privilege of taking the Early Life History of Marine Fishes course, co-taught by John and his longtime friend and colleague Dr. Ed Houde (UMCES, CBL) in 2006. John’s vibrant humor, passion for education, and encyclopedic knowledge of marine fishes and their larval forms is the reason I came to VIMS for my Ph.D. On John’s advice, I applied to work with Dr. Eric J. Hilton on a dissertation focused on fish systematics with the intention of having John as a committee member. Sadly, John was diagnosed with cancer soon after I arrived, and he never officially joined my committee. Nevertheless, John’s spirit has served as a guiding force for my research. I hope he would be proud of this work. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS................................................................................................................ v LIST OF TABLES............................................................................................................................. vi LIST OF FIGURES........................................................................................................................... vii ABSTRACT...................................................................................................................................... xiv CHAPTER 1: OSTEOLOGY OF THE PRICKLEBACK GENUSXIPHISTER (COTTIFORMES: ZOARCOIDEI: STICHAEIDAE).......................................................................... 2 Abstract ............................................................................................................................... 2 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 2 Materials and Methods ........................................................................................................ 4 Results ................................................................................................................................ 5 General External Anatomy and Morphometric Data .............................................. 5 Skull Roof and Neurocranium ................................................................................ 6 Infraorbital Bones ................................................................................................... 7 Jaws, Suspensorium, and Opercular Series .......................................................... 8 Ventral Portion of Hyoid Arch ................................................................................. 9 Gill Arches .............................................................................................................. 10 Vertebral Column ................................................................................................... 11 Dorsal and Anal Fin and Supports ......................................................................... 12 Caudal Fin and Supports ....................................................................................... 13 Pectoral Girdle, Fins, and Supports ....................................................................... 14 Pelvic Girdle, Fins, and Supports ........................................................................... 14 Trunk Lateral Line .................................................................................................. 14 Scales ....................................................................................................................15 Discussion .............................................................................................................................16 Previous Studies of Xiphister................................................................................... 16 Morphological Variation in Xiphister.........................................................................18 Comparisons Within Xiphisterinae ........................................................................... 19 Material Examined ................................................................................................................21 Acknowledgements ...............................................................................................................23 Literature Cited ......................................................................................................................23 CHAPTER 2: MORPHOLOGY AND ONTOGENY OF MULTIPLE LATERAL LINE CANALS IN THE PRICKLEBACK GENUS XIPHISTER (COTTIFORMES: ZOARCOIDEI: STICHAEIDAE)... 56 Abstract .................................................................................................................................56 Introduction ...........................................................................................................................56 Materials and Methods ..........................................................................................................59 Structure and Ontogeny of Lateral Lines .................................................................59 Histological Analysis of Neuromast Morphology and Distribution ...........................59 Fractal Analysis of Trunk Lateral Line Ontogeny .....................................................60 Results ..................................................................................................................................62 Morphology and Ontogeny of Lateral Lines .............................................................62 Fractal Analysis of Lateral Lines ..............................................................................64 Analysis of Neuromast Morphology and Distribution ...............................................64 Discussion .............................................................................................................................65 Fractal Analysis........................................................................................................65 Lateral Line Morphology ..........................................................................................67 Are Lateral Line Supports Modified Scales? ............................................................70 Evolution and Function of Multiple Trunk Lateral Lines ...........................................72 Material Examined ................................................................................................................75 Acknowledgements ...............................................................................................................77 Literature Cited ......................................................................................................................77 CHAPTER 3: PHYLOGENETIC SYSTEMATICS OF THE PRICKLEBACK FAMILY STICHAEIDAE (COTTIFORMES: ZOARCOIDEI) BASED ON MORPHOLOGICAL DATA.............94 Abstract 94 Introduction ...........................................................................................................................94 Materials and Methods ..........................................................................................................96 Selection of Taxa