TY - JOUR
T1 - Melanization of the alimentary tract in lizardfishes (Teleostei, Aulopiformes, Synodontidae)
AU - Fishelson, Lev
AU - Golani, Daniel
AU - Russell, Barry
AU - Galil, Bella
AU - Goren, Menachem
PY - 2012/9
Y1 - 2012/9
N2 - Investigating the alimentary tract in several species of lizardfishes (Synodontidae, Teleostei) of the genera Saurida, Synodus and Trachinocephalus, from various sites of their distribution, revealed melanization of the tract wall. This phenomenon was observed in several species of the genus Saurida, but not in the other two genera. This melanization is caused by layers of melanosomes rich in melanin granules and deposited within the connective tissue of the submucosa, between the muscular wall and the muscularis submucosa. From this site this black submucosa extends into the folds of the mucosa. In S. tumbil and S. filamentosa, the entire alimentary tract is black, whereas in S. macrolepis only the stomach is partially or entirely black. This phenomenon and its possible importance are discussed.
AB - Investigating the alimentary tract in several species of lizardfishes (Synodontidae, Teleostei) of the genera Saurida, Synodus and Trachinocephalus, from various sites of their distribution, revealed melanization of the tract wall. This phenomenon was observed in several species of the genus Saurida, but not in the other two genera. This melanization is caused by layers of melanosomes rich in melanin granules and deposited within the connective tissue of the submucosa, between the muscular wall and the muscularis submucosa. From this site this black submucosa extends into the folds of the mucosa. In S. tumbil and S. filamentosa, the entire alimentary tract is black, whereas in S. macrolepis only the stomach is partially or entirely black. This phenomenon and its possible importance are discussed.
KW - Alimentary tract
KW - Lizardfishes
KW - Saurida
KW - Submucosal melanization
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84866088714&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s10641-012-9982-8
DO - 10.1007/s10641-012-9982-8
M3 - ???researchoutput.researchoutputtypes.contributiontojournal.article???
AN - SCOPUS:84866088714
SN - 0378-1909
VL - 95
SP - 195
EP - 200
JO - Environmental Biology of Fishes
JF - Environmental Biology of Fishes
IS - 2
ER -