DISCUSSION

Hypothesized sarcoglanidine relationships were proposed by de Pinna (1989, figure 18, p. 26), de Pinna and Starnes (1990) and Costa and Bockmann (1994, figure 7, p. 727), but the most recent and extensive phylogeny is that of Costa (1994, figure 7, p. 213). Sarcoglanidinae and Glanapteryginae are hypothesized to be sister taxa because they share a posteriorly directed dorsal process on the quadrate, a large anteriorly directed dorsal process on the hyomandibula, a reduced vomer, and are all miniature (de Pinna 1989; Costa and Bockmann 1994). Sarcoglanis shares with other members of the Sarcoglanidinae and Glanapteryginae these four synapomorphies.

The Sarcoglanidinae are separated from the Glanapteryginae by three apomorphies (Costa and Bockmann 1994). Our analysis of Sarcoglanis indicates that this taxon shares with the other members of Sarcoglanidinae a pointed slender lateral process of the premaxilla, an enlarged maxilla, and rounded ventral expansion on the premaxilla. Sarcoglanis is thought to be the sister taxon to Malacoglanis (Sarcoglanidinae) based on seven synapomorphies (Costa 1994). Our integrated CT- and C&S-based analysis supports this phylogenetic relationship, confirming the osteological characters proposed by Costa (1994) including the presence of elongate pectoral fins and a lack of premaxillary teeth.