Lateral line system in the triplefin Enneapterygius etheostomus (Perciformes: Tripterygiidae): new implications for taxonomic studies

The lateral line system, including the distribution and counts of canal and superficial neuromasts, in a Japanese tripterygiid Enneapterygius etheostomus was studied. Although the basic topography of the lateral line canals was typical of teleosts, preopercular, mandibular, parietal, predorsal and caudal fin groupings of superficial neuromasts were recognized for the first time in addition to the previously reported groupings in Tripterygiidae. Comparisons of neuroanatomical characteristics with those of New Zealand tripterygiids previously reported revealed significant differences, thereby indicating that detailed examination of the lateral line system could provide new information useful for taxonomic studies.