Abstract
In this report, the external surface morphology and cellular distribution of taste buds (the primary organ of the gustatory system) of two barbed fishes, Clarias magur (Linnaeus, 1758) and Mystus tengra (Hamilton, 1822) were studied using light microscope, scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope. The microscopic analysis reveals that the both type-I and type II TBs are prevalent in both fishes, while a special type-IV TBs is only observed in Mystus tengra. The mucous cells, club cell, pigment cells and lymphocytes are observed alongside with TBs in both species. The upper and lower lips of Clarias magur provided with unculi and microvilli, whereas microridges are found in Mystus tengra. It can be postulated that the differences in distribution and architecture of external taste buds may be connected to differences in their foraging strategies, their microhabitats as well as environmental plasticity throughout their ontogeny in both species and family levels.
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