Ramnogaster arcuata (Jenyns, 1842) and Platanichthys platana (Regan, 1917), found at the estuary of Lagoa dos Patos and coastal lagoon (Lagoa Mirim) at the South of Brazil, are two sympatric clupeid fishes with very similar features. In order to clarify their taxonomic and geographical situation, delimiting its occurrence in fresh waters, a comparative study of the bony structures of the head, anal and dorsal fins and ventral scutes of these two sardines was developed. The osteological study with clear and stain technique included more information about the differentiation of the groups from the bones of the supramaxilla, dentary, pterygiophore and epipleural ribs. Variations on the body shape of those species were analyzed through the multivariate... |