Author/Authors :
ABOL-MUNAFI, A.B. Universiti Malaysia Terengganu - Faculty of Agrotechnology and Food Science - Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Malaysia , ANDRIYANTO, W. Universiti Malaysia Terengganu - Institute of Tropical Aquaculture, Malaysia , ANDRIYANTO, W. Agency for Marine and Fisheries Research - Research Institute for Mariculture, Indonesia , ISMI, S. Agency for Marine and Fisheries Research - Research Institute for Mariculture, Indonesia , NIRMALA, A.Y. Agency for Marine and Fisheries Research - Research Institute for Mariculture, Indonesia , MASTUTI, I. Agency for Marine and Fisheries Research - Research Institute for Mariculture, Indonesia , MUZAKI, A. Universiti Malaysia Terengganu - Institute of Tropical Aquaculture, Malaysia , EFFENDY, A.W.M. Universiti Malaysia Terengganu - Institute of Marine Biotechnology, Malaysia
Abstract :
The ontogeny of the digestive tract and associated organs in humpback grouper (Cromileptes altivelis) larvae was observed until 40 days after hatching (DAH). At 1 DAH (2.27 ± 0.07 mm), the digestive tract existed as a simple tube with the mouth and anus still closed. The mouth started to open on 2 DAH (2.41 ± 0.12 mm) but was not fully functioning. At the same time, the epithelium of the intestine and rectum started to fold while the liver and pancreas started to appear. The yolk sac was fully absorbed at 3 DAH (2.50 ± 0.07 mm), and mucous cells appeared at the esophagus. On 4 DAH (2.58 ± 0.08 mm), numerous acidophilic supranuclear vacuoles appeared and the epithelium cell on esophagus started to increase rapidly. On 6 DAH (2.61 ± 0.14 mm), the intestine differentiated into midgut and hindgut. Goblet cells, pharyngeal teeth, taste buds and the tongue appeared on the buccopharynx at 8 DAH (3.24 ± 0.38 mm). The stomach was divided into cardiac and fundic regions on 16 DAH (5.03 ± 0.18 mm). Gastric glands which were distributed between the fundic stomach and the midgut, formed on 25 DAH (10.29 ± 2.20 mm). The formation of the fundic stomach signalled the starting point of weaning and as the most important stage in ontogeny.
