Otolith-morphology and its usage for higher systematical units, with special reference to the Myctophiformes s.l

Some necessary technical terms are introduced with regard to the main morphological structures of the sulcus that can be found in the teleostean otoliths. Most of these named structures do not implicate monophyletic origin by any means, as they can obviously have originated within different lineages. Nevertheless, phylogenetical discussion of higher taxa within the Teleostei can be based on these structures. The important role of the Myctophiformes, with regard to the evolution and origin of the Acanthopterygii and Paracanthopterygii, is a special purpose of this paper. Other problems, such as the Atherinomorpha and the relationship of Gadiformes and Ophidioidei, are discussed. The limits of phylogenetic studies based on otoliths are pointed out (possibilities of numerous analogies because of a not very complex morphology, loss of advanced features because of different types of reductions).