Développement postembryonnaire du squelette et de la musculature de la tête de <i>Clarias gariepinus</i> (Pisces, Siluriformes) depuis l'éclosion jusqu'à 6,8 mm

Abstract

Upon hatching, the 4.2-mm fry of Clarias gariepinus has no skeleton (except for the notochord) or cephalic muscles. At 4.7 mm, the first elements of the chondrocranium have appeared, the few muscles that are present still have no definite insertion and there is no movement. At 6.8 mm, the chondrocranium is partially divided, the first elements of the osteocranium are present and most of the muscles are of the general type encountered in Teleosts and all have their proximal and distal insertions. Movements are then generally synchronyzed and can ensure ventilation of the gill arches. Exogeneous food intake is still not observed, although bone and muscle structures and movements could allow it and the vitellus is completely resorbed.[Translated by the Journal]