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Functional Morphology of the Dorsal Pad in Fathead Minnows (Pimephales promelas Rafinesque)
Author(s) -
Smith R. J. F.,
Murphy B. D.
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
transactions of the american fisheries society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.696
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1548-8659
pISSN - 0002-8487
DOI - 10.1577/1548-8659(1974)103<65:fmotdp>2.0.co;2
Subject(s) - pimephales promelas , dorsum , mucus , biology , epidermis (zoology) , anatomy , minnow , zoology , fishery , ecology , fish <actinopterygii>
Breeding male fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) develop a dorsal pad as well as several other secondary sexual characteristics. The dorsal pad consists of a dermal layer made up of loose connective tissue which develops above the scales, and an epidermal layer of stratified epithelium. The outer layer of the epidermis contains many mucus cells. Mucus secreted by this layer is deposited on the spawning surface during contact movements performed by breeding males. Taste buds are present in the epidermal layer of the dorsal pad and other regions. Contact movements by breeding males may facilitate chemosensory sampling of the spawning site and eggs.