Comparative digestive biology between the ponyfishes from the Pranburi River estuary, Thailand.
J Fish Biol
; 104(4): 1136-1151, 2024 Apr.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38230582
ABSTRACT
We investigated the digestive biology of two prevalent leiognathid species in Pranburi River estuary, Thailand the decorated ponyfish (Nuchequula gerreoides) and the splendid polyfish (Eubleekeria splendens). A total of 632 samples collected from February to April and September to November 2017 were analysed using morphological and histological approaches. The overall structures were similar between the species a short mucous-cell-rich oesophagus region, a well-developed gastric gland uniformly present across the stomach's mucosal layer, and three finger-like pyloric caeca between the stomach and intestine. However, there were marked differences in the mouth, gill raker, and intestinal coefficient (IC). N. gerreoides had a relatively longer mouth, smoother gill rakers, and an IC of 1.08 ± 0.01, similar to those of other carnivorous fish. In contrast, the gill raker of E. splendens had more villiform teeth that can filter-feed better, and their IC was 2.16 ± 0.02 (i.e., longer intestine). Although digestive structures were generally similar between the ponyfishes, these differences suggest that N. gerreoides is relatively carnivorous with stronger suction, whereas E. splendens may be an omnivorous or herbivorous filter-feeder.
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Texto completo:
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Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Estuários
/
Rios
Limite:
Animals
País/Região como assunto:
Asia
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Fish Biol
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article