The two species also differ in several morphometric and meristic characters. Meristic traits are often described in a shorthand notation called a "meristic formula". No morphometric, meristic, or skeletal differences could be found among the species of "Lasiancistrus". Meristic comparison is used in phenetic and cladistic analysis. Many meristic analyses are performed on dead fish that have been preserved in alcohol. Meristic traits are less easily observed on living fish, though it is possible. The meristic formula is D,12-15, A,10-12, P,11-13. Meristic characters are used in many other fields, such as in botany or in zoology. Such features are called meristic characters, and the study of such characters is called meristics. The meristic formula is D, XI,14-16; A, III, 10 - 12.