An ultrastructural focus on the buccal cavity of the grey gurnard Eutrigla gurnardus (Linnaeus, 1758): Adaptative dietary implications.

Abstract

The current investigation represented the first anatomical description of the buccal cavity of the grey gurnard Eutrigla gurnardus. For the achievement of this study, 10 heads of mature fish were used for SEM examinations. The morphological characteristic appearance of the buccal cavity has shown several adaptations in relation concerning its feeding habits. The median fissure of the upper lip divided the upper lip into two halves, this fissure appeared to be formed from many micro-tubercles with numerous taste buds which aid in holding mucus secretion to the cell surface, help in mucus spread, and provide mechanical protection to the epithelium. Velum had two regions: median and peripheral region. The epithelium covering of the median region of the upper velum had dots-like epithelial protrusion that carrying numerous taste buds, meanwhile, the epithelium covering of the lower velum not carried taste buds but instead carried numerous small scales-like structures. The palate is divided into two semicircular regions by small region of microridges into the anterior and posterior region. The slightly bifid tongue had a median tubercle with numerous small taste buds on its dorsal surface. Concluded, these data were necessary to understand the adaptation of fish to its habitat and in developing a new and better method for fishing of this type of fish.