Journal Article
Ontogeny of the osteocranium in the African catfish, Clarias gariepinus Burchell (1822) (Siluriformes: Clariidae): Ossification sequence as a response to functional demands
Adriaens, D. and Verraes, W.
Record Number:
6027
Year:
1998
Journal:
Journal of Morphology
Pages:
183-237
Volume:
235
Abstract:
ABSTRACT The ontogeny of the bony skull of the African catfish, Clarias
gariepinus, is studied from initial ossification until a complete skull is formed.
The ossification sequence in C. gariepinus seems to be related to the func-
tional demands that arise in a developing larva. Early ossification of the
opercular bone coincides with the initiation of opercular skin movements.
Early ossifications involve several dentulous bones, formed shortly before the
transition phase from endogenous to exogenous feeding. The enlarging bran-
chiostegal membrane becomes supported by the gradual adding of branchio-
stegal rays. Parasphenoid ossification may be related to protection of the
brain during prey transport, whereas the several hyoid bones, including the
parurohyal, are formed in relation to the increasing loads exerted onto the
tendons of the sternohyoideus and consequently onto the hyoid bar. Overall
skull reinforcement occurs almost simultaneously, with a whole set of perichon-
dral bones arising especially at places of high mechanical load. The suspenso-
rium becomes protected against dislocation in an anteroposterior direction
through a ligamentous connection, which even becomes partially ossified,
forming the sesamoid entopterygoid. Later, the cranial lateral-line system
becomes enclosed by a set of gutters, which close, frequently becoming
plate-like later in ontogeny. The brain also becomes covered dorsally. Addi-
tional dentition (prevomeral tooth plates) formation seems to coincide with
formation of the opercular four-bar system, as well as with the time the
digestive system becomes completely functional. Eventually, unossified re-
gions between the bones become closed off, fortifying and completely covering
the skull.
Times Cited:
1
Relevent Species:
Related Records:
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