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Accessory Escal Gland (AEG) in Some Deep‐sea Anglerfishes
Author(s) -
Munk Ole
Publication year - 1992
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.1463-6395.1992.tb00946.x
Subject(s) - biology , epidermis (zoology) , pineal gland , anatomy , connective tissue , scent gland , endocrinology , circadian rhythm , genetics
A hitherto unknown escal gland not associated with the escal light gland has been found in some ceratioid fishes ( Ceratias holboelli, C. uranoscopus, C. tentaculatus , and Phyllorhinichthys micractis ). This so‐called accessory escal gland (AEG) is situated in the connective tissue around the illicium and part of the escal light gland. The presence of ducts opening on the surface of the esca shows that the AEG, like the escal light gland, is derived from the epidermis. The function of the AEG is unknown. Its location suggests that it may in some way supplement the escal light gland, for example, by secreting substances yielding a scent that may attract prey animals.