KOMUNIKATY RYBACKIE

Nr 6 (125)/2011, 12-14

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IDENTIFYING EUROPEAN EEL, ANGUILLA ANGUILLA (L.), AND JAPANESE EEL, ANGUILLA JAPONICA (TEMMINCK & SCHLEGEL, 1846), BASED ON THE DENTITION OF THE UPPER JAW

Stanisław Robak


ABSTRACT. The close phylogenetic relatedness among eels and their many species often necessitates applying genetic studies (PCR-RFLP) to identify the various species within the order Anguilliformes. This article presents a method for differentiating between European and Japanese eel based on the dentition of the upper jaw and the mouth cavity vault (vomer section). In European eel the row of teeth at the edge of the jaw is wider and has more teeth in comparison to that of the Japanese eel. The lengths and widths of the middle strip of the mouth cavity vaults are longer and wider in European eel than in Japanese eel.

Keywords European eel, Japanese eel, dentition, identification

Przyjęto po recenzji 28.11.2011 r.