Characterisation of the primary sound-producing muscles in Carapus acus (Carapidae) : multidisciplinary approach

Poster (2002)

Preliminary study on the ecomorphological signification of the sound-producing complex in Carapidae

in Van Damme, Raoul; Aerts, Pieter; D'Août, Kristiaan (Eds.) et al Topics in Functional and Ecological Vertebrate Morphology (2002)

Carapidae can be classified in four ecological groups : pelagic, dermersal, commensal and parasitic. Carapidae display otophysic structures associated with the anterior part of the swim bladder and highly ... [more ▼]

Carapidae can be classified in four ecological groups : pelagic, dermersal, commensal and parasitic. Carapidae display otophysic structures associated with the anterior part of the swim bladder and highly modified labyrinths, which suggest particular acoustic performances. The commensal and parasitic species have the best developed sound-producing features and also the thickest sagitta within the largest otic cavity, and surrounded by the thinnest cranial wall. However, these features do not necessarily imply a direct relation between the sound emission and reception in a given species but suggest a selective pressure lying in the habitat use of the species. The structures involved in sound-production and hearing are seemingly adapted to match the loss of energy of the sonic vibrations when travelling through the host tissues. [less ▲]

Study of the otolith and otic area in Carapidae fishes: eco-morphological implication ?

Poster (2001)

About a particular metamorphosis in a Carapidae species

Poster (2001)

The origin of transformation of catfish (Teleostei: Siluriformes) palatine-maxillary system: an example of adaptive macroevolution

Poster (2001)

Morpho-anatomie de la région otique de poissons Carapidae (Ophidiiformes): morphologie et structure de leurs otolithes

Poster (2000, March)

Sibling cannibalism in dorada under experimental conditions. I. Ontogeny, dynamics, bioenergetics of cannibalism and prey size selectivity

in Journal of Fish Biology (2000), 57

The branchial basket in Teleost feeding.

in Cybium (2000), 24(4), 319-342

In teleosts, feeding is effected principally by suction and food is handled by the branchial basket. Preys are carried to the oesophagus by the pharyngeal jaws (PJs). The pharyngobranchial bones ... [more ▼]

In teleosts, feeding is effected principally by suction and food is handled by the branchial basket. Preys are carried to the oesophagus by the pharyngeal jaws (PJs). The pharyngobranchial bones constitute the upper pharyngeal jaws (UPJs) and the 5th ceratobranchial bones, the lower pharyngeal jaws (LPJs). In lower teleosts, these jaws have well-separated spindly parts attached to the neurocranium, pectoral girdle, and hyoid bar; they only transport food and LPJ activity predominates. In acanthopterygians, the PJs become stronger, the left and right ceratobranchials fuse into one LPJ, and the pharyngobranchials join together to form two big UPJs articulating with the neurocranium. In labrids and scarids, the LPJ is also joined to the pectoral girdle. In acanthopterygians, a new retractor dorsalis muscle gives the UPJs the major role in food chewing and transport. Cypriniforms have developed original PJs with strong 5th ceratobranchials opposed to a postero-ventral neurocranial plate. Small-sized preys and food particles are seized by the gill rakers, small skeletal pieces supported by the branchial arches. [less ▲]

Phylogenetic analysis of the pearlfish Carapini (Ophidiiformes, Carapidae)

in Acta Zoologica (2000), 81

Fishes of the tribe Carapini (Encheliophis and Carapus) share a noteworthy peculiarity: they shelter in holothurian echinoderms or bivalve hosts. Some species are considered parasitic, others commensal ... [more ▼]

Fishes of the tribe Carapini (Encheliophis and Carapus) share a noteworthy peculiarity: they shelter in holothurian echinoderms or bivalve hosts. Some species are considered parasitic, others commensal. This study focuses on the phylogeny of the tribe, using two other Carapidae species as an outgroup (Snyderidia canina and Onuxodon fowleri). Insofar as possible, the selected anatomical and behavioural characters where chosen in an ecomorphological perspective, as features that could be responses to various lifestyle-related constraints. Our character selection also took into account the fact that some features are (presumably) linked. Such features were grouped together as a single trait to avoid their overvaluation. This methodology enabled us to separate commensals from parasites, the former belonging to Carapus and the latter to Encheliophis. Carapus species reflect in their morphology the constraints imposed by a diet of hard, mobile, elusive prey, showing predator-type features: a strong dentition, a wide mouth opening, a robust food intake apparatus. On the other hand, the endoparasitic Encheliophis species show a generally weaker buccal apparatus and narrow mouth opening, in relation to the different constraints of their lifestyle where the diet constraints are less pronounced: they eat body parts of their host. We propose changes in both generic diagnoses and transfer three species from Encheliophis to Carapus. [less ▲]

Early development of the chondrocranium in Chrysichtys auratus (Pisces, Siluriformes, Claroteidae)

in Journal of Fish Biology (1999), 55

The inception and development of the cartilaginous cephalis skeleton of Chrysichthys auratus is described from hatching to about 18 days post-hatching. At hatching, no skeletal structure is present. Not ... [more ▼]

The inception and development of the cartilaginous cephalis skeleton of Chrysichthys auratus is described from hatching to about 18 days post-hatching. At hatching, no skeletal structure is present. Not until day 3 do clearly delimited cranial primordia become apparent. As in many siluriforms, the neurocranium is platybasic from the start, the suspensorium constitutes, with Meckel’s cartilage and the hyoid bar, a single cartilaginous element, and the junction between the front and rear of the neurocranium is complete on day 4. By day 8 the quadratomandibular joint has formed and the tectum posterius has appeared. Cartilage reduction first affects the trabecular bars, then, markedly, the visceral arches. By day 18 the braincase floor has almost disappeared. [less ▲]