01433nas a2200145   4500008004100000022002500041245006500066210006500131260001600196520097300212100002301185700002201208700001701230856004001247       2023                        eng d  a0021-8782, 1469-758000aOntogeny reveals the origin of Gemminger bones in Mormyridae0 aOntogeny reveals the origin of Gemminger bones in Mormyridae  cJul-25-20233 a<p><jats p="">Mormyridae are well known and intensively studied for their weak electric organ discharges, which facilitate communication and orientation. The Gemminger bones of Mormyridae are located next to the electrical organ in the caudal peduncle; however, they have not attracted much interest until recently. Therefore, we investigated the diversity of Gemminger bones in mormyrids and studied their ontogenetic development in <jats italic="">Mormyrus rume proboscirostris</jats>. Gemminger bones are paired, thin, elongated ossifications lying on the dorsal and ventral sides of the caudal peduncle, and usually reach anterior well below the dorsal and anal fin bases. Ontogeny revealed that they are not intermuscular ossifications, as suspected based on the anatomical position of this structure and the systematic position of the mormyrids. Instead, they are membrane ossifications that originate from the fin stays of the dorsal and anal fins.</jats></p>
1 aKoch, Ann‐Katrin1 aKirschbaum, Frank1 aMoritz, Timo  uhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1111/joa.13935