Morphological particularities of the head in four Carapidae (Ophidiiformes)

in Séret, Bernard; Sire, Jean-Yves (Eds.) 5th Indo-Pacific Fish Conference, Noumea - New Caledonia, 3-8 November 1997: Proceedings (1999)

A study of the skull and the musculature of the oral and pharyngeal region of four adult Carapidae species (Encheliophis boraborensis, Encheliophis homei, Encheliophis gracilis and Carapus acus) has ... [more ▼]

A study of the skull and the musculature of the oral and pharyngeal region of four adult Carapidae species (Encheliophis boraborensis, Encheliophis homei, Encheliophis gracilis and Carapus acus) has undertaken to compare it with the diet related characters. The cephalic organization of E. boraborensis and E. gracilis seems related to diet (mainly fishes and shrimps for the first one and holothurian tissues for the other) : these fishes are respectively commensal and parasitic. Although the feeding characters of E. homei and C. acus are closely similar to those of E. boraborensis, there are sparse observations of holothurian tissues in their stomach contents. It is suggested that these fishes are commensal when they are adults and have parasitic tendency when they are juvenile. [less ▲]

Distinctive Anatomical Features of the Branchial Basket in four Carapidae Species (Ophidiiformi, Paracanthopterygii)

in European Journal of Morphology (1998), 36(3), 153-164

The present study focuses on the branchial basket in four Carapidae species: Carapus acus , Encheliophis boraborensis , Encheliophis homei and Encheliophis gracilis . The aim is to highlight the skeletal ... [more ▼]

The present study focuses on the branchial basket in four Carapidae species: Carapus acus , Encheliophis boraborensis , Encheliophis homei and Encheliophis gracilis . The aim is to highlight the skeletal and muscular features of the branchial basket, especially those that are believed to be related to their way of life and/or to be linked to the presence of primary sound-producing muscles. The space occupied by the primary sound-producing muscles between the neurocranium and the branchial basket gives rise to distinctive skeletal and muscular features. They prevent the 1st pharyngobranchials from becoming attached to the neurocranium in the normal way. These do not seem to play any role in the suspension of the upper pharyngeal jaws, as it is usually the case in teleosteans. The 1st epibranchials are separated from the 2nd pharyngobranchials. Ossified interarcual elements jointed to the 2nd pharyngobranchials and 1st epibranchials are found in the position usually occupied by the latter. The presence of primary sound-producing muscles gives rise to the need for the reorganisation of the musculature which is seen in particular with regards to the levatores branchiales. These are not found on the neurocranium but on the hyomandibular. The general skeletal and muscular data and the observations of the stomach contents suggest that the action of the branchial basket is restricted to carrying food in Carapus acus , Encheliophis boraborensis and Encheliophis homei , whereas it could also play a role in the work of cutting up soft food in Encheliophis gracilis . [less ▲]

Anatomical and functional particularities of the head in two fishes

Poster (1996)

Ultrastructural Localization of Chitin in the Cystic Wall of Euplotes muscicola Kahl (Ciliata, Hypotrichia)

in European Journal of Protistology (1990), 26

The ultrastructural localization of chitin in the cyst walls of Euplotes muscicola was determined by labelling with WGA-gold complex.