https://bioone.org/journals/zoological- ... 0046.short
Abstract
The morphology and morphometry of the olfactory organ of Korean torrent catfishes, genus Liobagrus, consisting of only five endemic species, were investigated by stereo microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and statistical analysis. They showed the same morphological structure, externally and internally, including a tubular anterior nostril, a slit posterior nostril, and a rosette structure with several linguiform lamellae. Interestingly, however, the lamellar number (LN) revealed specific characteristics useful to identify the five species anatomically: 16–19 in (with standard length, SL, 96.8 ± 5.5 mm, mean ± SD), 14–16 in (86.9 ± 13.4 mm), 22–27 in (99.8 ± 14.7 mm), 19–24 in (90.1 ± 6.7 mm), and 14–18 in (74.0 ± 6.7 mm). Regarding SL, that of L. andersoni was longer than those of L. somjinensis and L. hyeongsanensis. As opposed to the SL, the LN to SL ratios of L. somjinensis (24.1 ± 2.1%) and L. hyeongsanensis (21.1 ± 1.4%) were greater than that of L. andersoni (18 ± 1.2%). These differences might be considered to reflect an interspecific morphological adaptation to micro-habitat according to olfactory importance and can be used as a taxonomic characteristic for this genus.
