Morphogenesis of sens the brown-marbled grouper Epinephelus fuscoguttatus (Forsskål)
The morphogenesis of sense organs and related behavioural changes in the hatchery-reared brown-marbled grouper Epinephelus fuscoguttatus larvae were examined to gain better understanding of its early life history because ecological field observations for grouper species is difficult. The newly ha...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Taylor & Francis
2014
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://irep.iium.edu.my/39771/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/39771/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/39771/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/39771/1/seng_mukai_first_online_2014_10236244.2014.940689.pdf |
| Summary: | The morphogenesis of sense organs and related behavioural changes in the
hatchery-reared brown-marbled grouper Epinephelus fuscoguttatus larvae were
examined to gain better understanding of its early life history because ecological
field observations for grouper species is difficult. The newly hatched
larvae (2.1 mm total length) had developing eyes and otic vesicles, a pair of
free neuromast on the head and ciliated olfactory epithelium. At 3 days post
hatching (dph), the eyes became fully pigmented with pure-cone retinae, the
semicircular canals formed in the inner ear, and the larvae (2.8 mm) were able
to swim horizontally, preying on rotifers. Retinal rods and the intra-oral taste
buds at pharyngeal appeared next. The olfactory lamellae and the head lateral
line system then formed, and the inner ears developed completely in the
larvae during the metamorphosis period (15–40 dph; 5.1–18.1 mm). At settlement
(50 dph; 32.8 mm), the fish possessed taste buds in the mouth entrance
region, and the lateral line system developed completely. The sensory development
correlates well with the known aspects of its life history at sea
whereby the larvae can feed early and avoid predators during the passive drift,
are able to swim shoreward to search nursery ground along the metamorphosis
stage and survive in seagrass beds at settlement. |
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