Reference : Evidence of an original scale development during the settlement phase of a coral reef fi...
Scientific journals : Article
Life sciences : Zoology
http://hdl.handle.net/2268/31173
Evidence of an original scale development during the settlement phase of a coral reef fish (Acanthurus triostegus)
English
Frederich, Bruno[Université de Liège - ULg > Département des sciences et gestion de l'environnement > Département des sciences et gestion de l'environnement >]
[en] As the majority of coral reef fishes, the Convict Surgeonfish Acanthurus triostegus (Acanthuridae) has a complex life cycle that involves an ontogenetic change in morphology, physiology and behaviour as its pelagic larval stage colonizes the benthic habitat. Few studies are devoted to the changes in skeleton during the settlement phase of coral reef fishes. In the present study, we highlighted an unexpected scales development in A. trisostegus just after the reef settlement. At settlement (t0), A. triostegus showed calcified and very thin vertical plates, lying in the dermis on the whole body. During the first 9 days after settlement, thin vertical plates regressed and adult scales began to appear simultaneously. At 12 days post-settlement, the whole body was covered with small scales. Overall, such a rapid skeletal transformation is an example of morphological changes dealing with metamorphosis of coral reef fishes.
Laboratoire de Morphologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive
Communaute´ Franc¸aise de Belgique (Concours des bourses de voyage 2007) ; ANR (ANR-06-JCJC-0012-01) ; MOM (06 PF 15) ; CRISP Program (Coral Reef Initiative in the South Pacific – C2A)
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