Entire Body Surface Research Articles

A Gallbladder Ceratomyxidae (Myxozoa: Bivalvulida) Parasite Described In Pimelodella cristata (Müller & Troschel, 1848) From the Eastern Amazon.

The Myxozoa class is characterized by parasites that have valves joined by a suture line and polar capsules containing eversible spiral filamento and this class is considered an obligate parasite. The genus Ceratomyxa has approximately 300 species described in fish, both marine and freshwater fish, mainly infecting the gallbladder, but also occurring in the urinary bladder. This study describes a new species of Ceratomyxa in the Amazon region for Pimelodella cristata. For these analyses, the fish were desensitized by means of a medullary section with the aid of a sharp metallic instrument. With the fish desensitized, the entire body surface was examined under a binocular stereoscopic microscope. The gallbladder fragments were collected and fixed in Davidson for histological analyses and in ethanol for molecular analyses. This parasite was found in the host's gallbladder, with elongated spores in a decreasing shape in sutural view, measuring 1.64 ± 0.6μm in length and 17.13 ± 2.6μm in width. The polar capsules had a spherical shape of equal size and measured 1.36 ± 0.17μm in length and 0.9 ± 0.05μm in width, and each polar capsule contained 4 to 5 turns. Morphological and phylogenetic analyzes denote that this is a new species of the genus Ceratomyxa.

An upstream signaling gene calmodulin regulates the synthesis of insect wax via activating fatty acid biosynthesis pathway

Insect wax accumulates on the surface of insect cuticle, which acts as an important protective barrier against rain, ultraviolet light radiation, pathogens, etc. The waxing behavior, wax composition and molecular mechanism underling wax biosynthesis are unclear in dustywings. Herein, the current study determined the vital developmental stage for waxing behavior in dustywings, examined the components of waxy secretions, and identified key regulatory genes for wax biosynthesis. The wax glands were mainly located on the thorax and abdomen of dustywing adults. The adults spread the waxy secretions over their entire body surface. The metabolomics analysis identified 32 lipids and lipid-like molecules, 15 organic acids and derivatives, 7 benzenoids, etc. as the main components of waxy secretions. The fatty acids represented the largest proportion of the category of lipid and lipid-like molecules. The conjoint analysis of metabolomics and transcriptomics identified two crucial genes fatty acyl-CoA reductase (CsFAR) and calmodulin (CsCaM) for wax biosynthesis. The down-regulation of these genes via nanocarrier-mediated RNA interference technology significantly reduced the amount of wax particles. Notably, the RNAi of CsCaM apparently suppressed the expression of most genes in fatty acid biosynthesis pathway, indicating the CsCaM might act as a main upstream regulator of fatty acid biosynthesis pathway.

A century of exercise physiology: concepts that ignited the study of human thermoregulation. Part 4: evolution, thermal adaptation and unsupported theories of thermoregulation.

This review is the final contribution to a four-part, historical series on human exercise physiology in thermally stressful conditions. The series opened with reminders of the principles governing heat exchange and an overview of our contemporary understanding of thermoregulation (Part 1). We then reviewed the development of physiological measurements (Part 2) used to reveal the autonomic processes at work during heat and cold stresses. Next, we re-examined thermal-stress tolerance and intolerance, and critiqued the indices of thermal stress and strain (Part 3). Herein, we describe the evolutionary steps that endowed humans with a unique potential to tolerate endurance activity in the heat, and we examine how those attributes can be enhanced during thermal adaptation. The first of our ancestors to qualify as an athlete was Homo erectus, who were hairless, sweating specialists with eccrine sweat glands covering almost their entire body surface. Homo sapiens were skilful behavioural thermoregulators, which preserved their resource-wasteful, autonomic thermoeffectors (shivering and sweating) for more stressful encounters. Following emigration, they regularly experienced heat and cold stress, to which they acclimatised and developed less powerful (habituated) effector responses when those stresses were re-encountered. We critique hypotheses that linked thermoregulatory differences to ancestry. By exploring short-term heat and cold acclimation, we reveal sweat hypersecretion and powerful shivering to be protective, transitional stages en route to more complete thermal adaptation (habituation). To conclude this historical series, we examine some of the concepts and hypotheses of thermoregulation during exercise that did not withstand the tests of time.

Shaken adult syndrome due to ocean wave: an autopsy case.

Severe intracranial trauma during torture or assault is reportedly caused by shaken adult syndrome. However, intracranial traumas caused by natural forces, excluding human factors and collision impact, are extremely rare. We report an autopsy case of shaken adult syndrome caused by ocean wave forces. A man in his 40s without any medical history was washed away by a wave during recreational fishing. He was found approximately 500m away from the fishing point drifting on the ocean in a state of cardiopulmonary arrest and was confirmed dead, with no response to cardiopulmonary resuscitation, 3h after the accident. The autopsy revealed no mechanical trauma to the entire body surface, including the head. Both lungs were inflated, and pleural effusion was observed. The brain was swollen and congested, and subarachnoid hemorrhage was observed in the interhemispheric fissure and the convexity of the parietal occipital lobe. Macroscopic and microscopic hemorrhage spots were found in the brain, and the results of the blood alcohol test and urinary toxicological screening were negative. The cause of death was determined as drowning. This case demonstrates a rare but notable mechanism of injury observed in immersed bodies.

Leukemia Cutis as the Presenting Sign of Acute Myeloid Leukemia in an HIV+ patient

Leukemia Cutis (LC) is a rare extramedullary cutaneous manifestation of leukemia that varies in terms of clinical presentation, leukemia type, and timing of presentation in relation to systemic leukemia. LC typically presents following diagnosis of systemic leukemia and during an active flare or relapse. An estimated 3.7% of patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) develop LC. A 61-year-old male with poorly controlled HIV presented with a rash that began one month prior on his cheek as a red papule, which he believed was an ingrown hair. On exam, pink and yellow firm papules and nodules covered his entire body surface except the groin and axilla. One nodule held a peau d’orange appearance. The rash was overall asymptomatic, and he reported only increased fatigue. His CD4 count and viral load were 136 and 330,000 respectively. One punch biopsy revealed negative cultures for fungus, bacteria, and acid-fast bacilli. Two biopsies sent for pathologic evaluation revealed AML of the skin. Bone marrow biopsy confirmed AML. Clinically the presentation of LC is nonspecific, and systemic symptoms rarely appear in conjunction with LC. High clinical suspicion and histopathologic examination are necessary for diagnosis of LC.

PO-01-095 REGIONAL DIFFERENCES IN ATRIAL FIBER STRAINS IN HEART FAILURE PATIENTS WITH AND WITHOUT ATRIAL FIBRILLATION

Left atrial (LA) strain is inhibited by atrial fibrosis, which is a hallmark of atrial fibrillation (AF). Retrospective gated computed tomography (CT) imaging with feature tracking (FT) can measure three-dimensional (3D) local LA strain. Atrial myocardial fiber directions may play an important role in preferred deformation, and therefore atrial fiber strains should be considered. Using the average endocardial fiber architecture from seven hearts imaged ex vivo with high resolution diffusion-tensor magnetic resonance imaging (DT-MRI), the endocardial fiber strain can be measured. To investigate regional and global differences in atrial endocardial fiber strains between heart failure (HF) patients with and without AF. 30 HF patients underwent 10-frame gated CT imaging, and FT was used to measure local endocardial fiber strain (Fig. A). The LA body was classified into five regions using Universal Atrial Coordinates (Fig. B). Global and regional strains were reported as the mean strain over the entire LA body surface and within each region, respectively. The fiber strain range over the cardiac cycle was used to stratify between HF patients with and without AF. The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left atrial ejection fraction (LAEF) were calculated from the gated CT images. HF patients with AF had smaller global fiber strain ranges than those without AF (5.9 ± 3.7 % vs 14.2 ± 8.9 %, p = 0.011) (Fig. C). All regions had higher strain ranges in HF patients without AF and the anterior wall exhibited the most significant difference between groups (7.8 ± 4.1 vs 17.9 ± 10.6, p = 0.009). ROC analysis using global strain range to stratify between patient groups gave an AUC of 0.853 (Fig. D). The anterior wall was the region with the highest AUC of 0.842. LVEF was similar between patient groups (p=0.682), however LAEF differed (p=0.002) (Fig. E). Patients with AF had decreased fiber strain ranges globally and regionally compared to those without AF. Strain range in the anterior wall most significantly decreased in the presence of AF, which may suggest a regionally higher fibrosis burden. The LVEF was similar between HF patients with and without AF, however the LAEF differed, which suggests strain differences were driven by LA dysfunction.

Erythroderma-as a paraneoplastic phenomenon of ovarian adenocarcinoma

About 1% of erythroderma cases have a neoplastic or paraneoplastic etiology. But erythroderma secondary to adenocarcinoma of ovary has not yet been reported in the scientific literature to best of our knowledge. A 54-year-old female patient presented to OPD with complaints of reddish itchy scaly lesions over body since 2 months. Based on history and examination, contact dermatitis was considered as provisional diagnosis. Patient was started on prednisolone, cyclosporine and topical corticosteroids which led to partial improvement of the skin lesions. But the lesions recurred and involved almost entire body surface area after 15 days of stopping the medications by the patient. This instigated further evaluation of the patient. All routine lab investigations were within normal limits. Skin biopsy showed mixed inflammatory infiltrate. USG abdo-pelvis detected right ovarian mass. Serum CA 125 was found to be raised. This leads to the suspicion of internal malignancy. Staging laparotomy was done. Tissue biopsy revealed high grade serous papillary cyst adenocarcinoma of right ovary. Thus, final diagnosis of paraneoplastic erythroderma secondary to ovarian adenocarcinoma was made. Patient responded well to corticosteroids after total abdominal hysterosalphingo-oophorectomy and chemotherapy in due course of time of 4 months. Hence, we conclude, erythroderma patients with unclear etiologies should be thoroughly evaluated. This will lead to timely diagnosis and treatment leading to better prognosis.

Artificial Propagation of Pomadasys hasta (Bloch, 1790): A Key to Reach Sustainable Aquaculture

Reproduction of Pomadasys hasta was studied in captivity to establish an induced breeding protocol and larvae rearing tactics. Three distinct hormones viz., human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogues (LHRHa) and salmon gonadotropin hormone-releasing hormone (S-GnRHa) were injected to matured brooders in treatment 1 (T1), treatment 2 (T2) and treatment 3 (T3) but only 0.9% NaCl used in T4 as a control. In each treatment, three experimental trails, E1 (♀40:♂20 µg.kg-1), E2 (♀50:♂25 µg.kg-1) and E3 (♀60:♂30 µg.kg-1) were conducted along with three replications of each trail in order to optimize the hormone dose for the target species. The obtained results have aroused much attention as this is the first breakthrough on induced breeding of a grunter in the Indian subcontinent. Variation in fertilization rate, latency period, egg output and hatching rate in response to different treatments and trails were revealed here. Spawning was occurred between 33-48 h of injection in all the experiments at 17-25°C water temperature. Above all, the highest fertilization (95.45±2.34) and hatching (75.45±4.07) rates were observed in E2 of T2. After 22-26 h of fertilization, the larvae emerged from the egg membrane and the newly hatched larvae were 1.6-1.8 mm in length. Turning larvae into juveniles was noticed by 40–45 days post-hatch (dph) with scales on the entire body surface. The total length was recorded as 43.5±2.1 mm and average body weight as 0.7±0.2 g at 95 dph. This investigation unlocked a track for producing seed of P. hasta in a commercial hatchery for a sustainable aquaculture without hampering their wild stock.

Identification and In Silico Analysis of a Homozygous Nonsense Variant in TGM1 Gene Segregating with Congenital Ichthyosis in a Consanguineous Family.

Background and Objectives: Lamellar ichthyosis is a rare skin disease characterized by large, dark brown plate-like scales on the entire body surface with minimum or no erythema. This phenotype is frequently associated with a mutation in the TGM1 gene, encoding the enzyme transglutaminase 1 which plays a catalytic role in the formation of the cornified cell envelop. The present study aimed to carry out clinical and genetic characterization of the autosomal recessive lamellar ichthyosis family from Balochistan. Materials and Methods: A consanguineous family with lamellar ichthyosis was enrolled from Balochistan, Pakistan. PCR amplification of all the exons and splice site junctions of the TGM1 gene followed by Sanger sequencing was performed on the genomic DNA. The identified variant was checked by In silico prediction tools to evaluate the effect of the variant on protein. Results: Sanger sequencing identified a homozygous nonsense variant c.131G >A (p.Trp44*) in the TGM1 gene that segregated in the autosomal recessive mode of inheritance in the family. The identified variant results in premature termination of transcribed mRNA and is predicted to cause a truncated or absent translation product transglutaminase-1 (TGase-1) accompanied by loss of catalytic activity, causing a severe clinical phenotype of lamellar ichthyosis in the patients. Conclusions: Here, we report a consanguineous lamellar ichthyosis family with a homozygous nonsense variant in the TGM1 gene. The variant is predicted as pathogenic by different In silico prediction tools.

WHOLE-BODY CRYOSTIMULATION: A REHABILITATION BOOSTER.

A growing body of work suggests that whole-body cryostimulation (WBC) could play a role as a promising adjuvant therapy in various conditions of rehabilitation interest. In fact, WBC is currently being used to relieve symptoms in rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, ankylosing spondylitis, depression and anxiety, multiple sclerosis, sleep disturbances, muscle soreness after strenuous physical exercise, post-Covid syndrome and obesity. WBC is not only a symptomatic physical therapy but rather represents an “adaptation therapy” because of the repeated shock-like cryogenic cold stimulus over the entire body surface that induces reactions in the autonomic, endocrine, circulatory, neuromuscular and immunological systems, resulting in an adaptation that contributes to the restoration of the homeostatic state. Therefore, based on the existing evidence, WBC can be described as follows:a “training method” for the autonomic nervous system;a novel anti-inflammatory and antioxidant treatment;a treatment with beneficial effects on body composition and adipose tissue.In our opinion, the powerful effects of thermal stress on the physiological responses of the human body present unique features that could potentially be exploited to boost rehabilitation outcomes in various conditions. Therefore, we believe it is important to highlight the potential use of WBC for medical use and emphasize its relevance in the field of rehabilitation with the aim of stimulating scientific studies on the efficacy of WBC as an adjuvant treatment in various conditions of rehabilitation interest. LAY ABSTRACTA growing body of work suggests that whole-body cryostimulation (WBC) could play a role as a promising adjuvant therapy in various conditions of rehabilitation interest, as it can act asa “training method” for the autonomic nervous system;a novel anti-inflammatory and antioxidant treatment;a treatment with beneficial effects on body composition and adipose tissue.Therefore, we want to highlight the potential use of WBC for medical use and its relevance in the field of rehabilitation with the aim of stimulating scientific studies on the efficacy of WBC as an adjuvant treatment in various conditions of rehabilitation interest.

ORAL MANAGEMENT OF TOXIC EPIDERMAL NECROLYSIS IN PEDIATRIC PATIENT

The aim of this study is to report a severe case of toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) in a pediatric patient. A 5-year-old female patient was referred to the dental service with a diagnosis of TEN. On physical examination, the patient presented scaling skin lesions over the entire body surface. She was also on parenteral nutrition. On oral examination, severe pain and ulcerative lesions with hemorrhagic crust in the lips and erosive, rounded lesions with a white halo, similar to a target, on the tongue and labial mucosa were observed. After low-level laser therapy (LLLT), there was improvement in pain and healing of oral lesions and the patient returned to eating without the tube. One month later, the oral lesions were fully healed. LLLT was effective for oral lesions associated with TEN, accelerating clinical improvement and the return of enteral feeding, attenuating the patient's hospital stay.

Alopecia Areata, desencadenada por estrés psicológico y tratada con éxito con un inhibidor de las Janus quinasas. Reporte de un caso

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that causes a non-healing form of hair loss. Stress is one of the crucial factors, which contributes to its development as it increases the corticotropin releasing hormone, creating an inflammatory environment and the immune privilege loss around the hair follicle. Case report: A 37-year-old woman with a history of alopecia areata, who presents progressive hair loss after a twin pregnancy announcement, which triggers a considerable level of psychological stress. The physical examination shows absence of hair on the entire body surface. Once lactation ended, treatment with topical corticosteroids and tofacitinib (janus kinase inhibitor) was started, resulting in hair recovery. Within the environmental factors that contribute to the development of alopecia areata, stress is one of the most important ones. Therefore, knowing about its physiopathology allows for the understanding of how stress triggers some autoimmune diseases, as well as why novel therapies including januskinase inhibitors are useful for treating them.

Elephantoloemus indicus Austen, 1930 (Diptera: Calliphoridae) as the cause of cutaneous myiasis in captive Indian elephants from Assam, India.

Elephantoloemus indicus Austen, 1930, a dipteran calliphorid fly is known to cause by its larval stage obligatory cutaneous myiasis in Indian subspecies of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus indicus Cuvier, 1798) in Myanmar and Thailand. The present study was undertaken on morphological identification of some specimens of fly larvae which were recovered from the warbles detected on the skin of captive Indian elephants at the Nameri National Park and Kaziranga National Park both situated in the state of Assam, India. The larval specimens were whitish to creamy white in colour and body conformation varied from cylindrical to barrel shaped depending on their measured size (Av 6.12±0.28×2.35±0.12mm). Microscopic examination of processed larvae revealed presence of numerous single pointed spines uniformly distributed on entire body surface, well developed mouth hooks and cephalopharyngeal skeleton at the anterior end and posterior spiracles each with lightly sclerotized peritreme enclosing three short and straight respiratory slits. Based on geographical distribution of the fly, host relation, larval parasitism and morphological characters, the larvae were determined as of the genus Elephantoloemus which is represented by E. indicus as the only species described so far. This finding seems to be the first record in India after its report from Myanmar and Thailand.

Dermocystid infection in Japanese fire-bellied newt, <i>Cynops pyrrhogaster</i>

Here, we report details of a new infectious disease in wild-caught Japanese fire-bellied newts (Cynops pyrrhogaster), a Near Threatened species. Skin lesions consisting of numerous masses were found in the animals near Lake Biwa, Shiga Prefecture, Japan. The gross appearance of the skin lesions showed blister-, cyst-, and/or tumor-like morphology. Various sizes of skin lesions were observed on their entire body surface. Histologically, spherical basophilic cysts, including numerous spores, were observed in the dermis layer. Ultrastructural analysis indicated the presence of main bodies of flagellated zoospores within the spores. While 18s rRNA gene sequencing indicated that the skin lesions were due to dermocystid infection. To our knowledge, this is the first report of dermocystid infection in this amphibian in Japan. Further studies are needed to prevent epidemics and to establish diagnostic and treatment methods.

Irradiance footprint of phototherapy devices: a comparative study

BackgroundPhototherapy (PT) is the standard treatment of neonatal unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia. The irradiance footprint, i.e., the illuminated area by the PT device with sufficient spectral irradiance, is essential for PT to be effective. Irradiance footprint measurements are not performed in current clinical practice. We describe a user-friendly method to systematically evaluate the high spectral irradiance (HSI) footprint (illuminated area with spectral irradiance of ≥30 μW cm−2 nm−1) of PT devices in clinical practice.Materials and methodsSix commercially available LED-based overhead PT devices were evaluated in overhead configuration with an incubator. Spectral irradiance (µW cm−2 nm−1) and HSI footprint were measured with a radiospectrometer (BiliBlanket Meter II).ResultsThe average measured spectral irradiance ranged between 27 and 52 μW cm−2 nm−1 and HSI footprint ranged between 67 and 1465 cm2, respectively. Three, two, and one PT devices out of six covered the average BSA of an infant born at 22, 26–32, and 40 weeks of gestation, respectively.ConclusionSpectral irradiance of LED-based overhead PT devices is often lower than manufacturer’s specifications, and HSI footprints not always cover the average BSA of a newborn infant. The proposed measurement method will contribute to awareness of the importance of irradiance level as well as footprint measurements in the management of neonatal jaundice.ImpactWhile a sufficient spectral irradiance footprint is essential for PT to be effective, some PT devices have spectral irradiance footprints that are too small to cover the entire body surface area (BSA) of a newborn infant.This study introduces a user-friendly, accessible method to systematically evaluate the spectral irradiance level and footprint of PT devices.This study supports awareness on the role of the spectral irradiance footprint in the efficacy of PT devices. Irradiance footprint can be easily measured during phototherapy with the proposed method.

Ichthyosis in Dogs—Congenital Dermatologic Disorder

Abstract The skin provides protective functions, such as thermoregulation, resorption, provision of immune responses, storage and sensory functions, which all play an important role in the internal stability of the organism. The skin has 3 major layers: the epidermis, the dermis and subcutis. The outermost protective layer of the epidermis, the stratum corneum, consists of 20 to 30 overlapping layers of anucleate cells, the corneocytes. Ichthyosis is an autosomal recessive congenital skin disease, in which the corneocytes form defects that appear like individual steps of the stratum corneum. Ichthyosis is characterized by excessive scaling over the entire body surface and is not curable; the symptoms can only be alleviated. Several genetic variants have been identified in specific dog breeds: PNPLA1 in the Golden Retrievers, SLC27A4 in the Great Danes, NIPAL4 in the American Bulldogs, TGM1 in the Jack Russel Terriers, ASPRV1 in the German Shepherds, which cause different forms of nonepidermolytic ichthyosis and KRT10 in the Norfolk Terriers, which causes epidermolytic ichthyosis. When classifying breeds of dogs predisposed to ichthyosis, it is necessary to determine the presence of defective genes in the genome of the individual animals involved in mating.

Morphomolecular and pathological study of Scaphanocephalus sp. in new host Siganus argenteus in the Arabian Gulf.

In this study, Scaphanocephalus parasite (Platyhelminthes: Heterophyidae) metacercariae were found in Siganus argenteus (forktail rabbitfish or streamlined spinefoot) in the Arabian Gulf of Jubail province, Saudi Arabia. The findings may constitute new host and locality records for this parasite. Based on the number of black spots containing parasite cysts per fish, our study indicated that Siganus argenteus had high infection intensities of encysted metacercariae belonging to the genus Scaphanocephalus. Of the 3500 S. argenteus specimens examined, 800 (22.9%) showed multiple black cysts over the entire body surface, including the membranous parts of fins, while none were seen on the internal organs. The prevalence of infection was highest in summer (June-August) (8.8%). The excysted metacercariae differed morphologically from previously identified Scaphanocephalus spp. Molecular analysis of rDNA showed 100% identity with an unnamed Scaphanocephalus sp. reported in Caribbean fish. Therefore, our findings may indicate a new species of this previously rarely recorded fish parasite. The histopathological examination revealed that the encysted parasites were restricted to the dermal layer of the skin and surrounded by melanophores and a fibrous connective tissue capsule, with focal myositis and Zenker's necrosis in the underlying muscle tissue. The characteristically 'winged' parasite was clearly observed within the cysts. The high prevalence of Scaphanocephalus infection in siganid fish we detected requires further epidemiological study.

Total body mapping in the follow-up of melanocytic lesions: recommendations of the Brazilian Society of Dermatology

Total body mapping comprises photographic documentation of the entire body surface followed by digital dermatoscopy of selected melanocytic lesions, aiming to compare their evolution over time and identify new lesions. As this is an exam based on comparative analysis of serial dermoscopic body images, standardization of the technique for performing total body mapping is essential. Prepared by specialists from the Brazilian Society of Dermatology, using the modified Delphi method, this article provides recommendations for carrying out total body mapping in Brazil, regarding its indications, technical aspects, and the issuing of the report.

Cherenkov imaging for Total Skin Electron Therapy - an evaluation of dose uniformity.

Total Skin Electron Therapy (TSET) utilizes high-energy electrons to treat cancers on the entire body surface. The otherwise invisible radiation beam can be observed via the optical Cherenkov photons emitted from interaction between the high-energy electron beam and tissue. Cherenkov emission can be used to evaluate the dose uniformity on the surface of the patient in real-time using a time-gated intensified camera system. Each patient was monitored during TSET by in-vivo detectors (IVD) as well as Scintillators. Patients undergoing TSET in various conditions (whole body and half body) were imaged and analyzed. A rigorous methodology for converting Cherenkov intensity to surface dose as products of correction factors, including camera vignette correction factor, incident radiation correction factor, and tissue optical properties correction factor. A comprehensive study has been carried out by inspecting various positions on the patients such as vertex, chest, perineum, shins, and foot relative to the umbilicus point (the prescription point).

The Lateral Line System in the Nurseryfish Kurtus gulliveri (Percomorpha: Kurtidae): A Distribution and Innervation of Superficial Neuromasts Unique within Percomorphs

The lateral line system and its innervation were examined in the Nurseryfish Kurtus gulliveri (family Kurtidae). The system is characterized by ca. 373,000 superficial neuromasts (SNs; at 152 mm standard length) occurring over one side of the entire body surface, including the dorsal, anal, and caudal fins. A fine-grid pattern of SNs is spread regularly over the surface, comprising many longitudinal and transverse SN rows, with the axis of best physiological sensibility perpendicular to the long axis of the neuromasts. On the head, rami of the anterior lateral line nerve are similar to those in typical percomorphs, each innervating numerous SNs by extensive ramification. On the trunk, 22 elongated dorsal ramules of the lateral ramus (of the posterior lateral line nerve) supply SNs on the dorsal half of the trunk and dorsal fin, and the dorsal longitudinal collector nerve innervates 22 canal neuromasts along the short (incomplete) trunk lateral line canal. Sixteen ventral ramules arise from the lateral ramus to supply SNs on the ventral half of the trunk and anal fin, which is similar to the pattern of the dorsal ramules. Innervation of the trunk and fins is distinctive, differing from all percomorphs known thus far.