The Structures Associated With Catfish (Teleostei: Siluriformes) Mandibular Barbels: Origin, Anatomy, Function, Taxonomic Distribution, Nomenclature and Synonymy

The morphological features of the ventral region of the head of 16 siluriform species were studied in detail and compared with those described in the literature as the foundation for a general survey of the origin, anatomy, function, taxonomic distribution, nomenclature and synonymy of the structures associated with catfish mandibular barbels. The restricted taxonomic distribution of some of these structures indicates that the study of these structures could reveal useful data to infer the phylogenetic relationships between different catfish groups.