Comparative morphology of scales of four teleost fishes from Sudan and Yemen

Abstract

The scale morphology of four teleost fishes, Barbus arabicus, B. exolatus, Labeo niloticus (Cyprinidae), and Lates niloticus (Centropomidae), was studied using both light and scanning electron microscopy. The considerable variation in scale shape on different parts of the body makes it difficult to nominate a typical scale for particular species to be used in taxonomic studies. However, some character states of the inter‐radial denticles, cteni, and the focus area appear to be good taxonomic criteria.