Micralestes lualabae, Poll, 1967

Zanata, Angela M. & Vari, Richard P., 2005, The family Alestidae (Ostariophysi, Characiformes): a phylogenetic analysis of a trans-Atlantic clade, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 145 (1), pp. 1-144 : 108

AND M. LUALABAE )

The second two species clade within Micralestes consists of M. elongatus and M. lualabae (clade 25) and is defined by two synapomorphies.

171. Posterolateral margin of palatine with posteroventral process extending along anterodorsal portion of ectopterygoid (char. 95, 0> 1). Also present in M. acutidens .

172. First intermuscular bones located anteriorly and proximate to rear of neurocranium (char. 123, 0> 1). Also independently acquired in Alestes , Brycinus macrolepidotus , Chalceus and Hydrocynus .

Micralestes elongatus is defined by the following autapomorphy:

R 1. Posteriorly directed, pointed process on posterior surface of lateral wing of lateral ethmoid present (char. 28, 0> 1).

The following character is ambiguously optimized as an autapomorphy for this species:

R 2. Connection between sensory canal in sixth infraorbital and laterosensory canals on neurocranium through pore located on pterotic or between junction of pterotic and frontal (char. 154, 1> 0).

Micralestes lualabae is defined by three autapomorphies:

S 1. Process along posterodorsal margin of maxilla present (char. 73, 0> 1).

S 2. Posteriorly directed process on posterodorsal margin of upper portions of first through eight ribs present (char. 119, 0> 1).

S 3. Spine-like, medially directed process on medial surface of supracleithrum absent (char. 131, 1> 0).