Some morphological characteristics of Acipenserid fishes: considerations of their variability and utility in taxonomy

Summary The use of traditionally utilized morphological characteristics as diagnostic tools in tetraploid and octaploid sturgeons assumes that they are heterogenous in nature. Octoploid species are supposed to be of independent origin through multiple events of polyploidization and through interspecific hybridization among tetraploid species. In this study probable relationships between tetraploid and octoploid species are suggested by morphological characteristica. The genus Acipenser should include both former genus Acipenser and Huso and this seems to be the only realistic deduction that can be concluded from morphological features.