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Etude anatomique et histologique du squelette axial de Eigenmannia virescens (Rhamphichthyidae, Gymnotoidei)
Author(s) -
Meunier François Jean,
Kirschbaum Frank
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
acta zoologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.414
H-Index - 37
eISSN - 1463-6395
pISSN - 0001-7272
DOI - 10.1111/j.1463-6395.1978.tb01036.x
Subject(s) - anatomy , biology , cartilage , vertebra , notochord , microbiology and biotechnology , embryo , embryogenesis
The number of vertebrae varies from 77 up to 81, of which 16 to 22 belong to the caudal region. The last vertebra is followed by a rodlike bone and this, in turn, by a cylindric piece of cartilage measuring 2–3 mm in length. The rodlike tail bone is first seen when the fish reaches a length of 40 to 45 mm; its development seems to be induced by the caudal cartilage just referred to. The latter element is initially in contact with the posterior extremity of the notochord; as it grows backwards, however, its anterior part gradually becomes destroyed by chondroclasts. The caudal cartilage is tentatively interpreted as an opisthure and the rodlike tail bone as a neomorph.