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MEPS 161:295-298 (1997)
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Abstract
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Black gut phenomenon in cardinal fishes (Apogonidae, Teleostei)
L. Fishelson1,*, M. Goren1, O. Gon2
1Dept of Zoology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, 69978 Israel
2J.L.B. Smith Institute of Ichthyology, PB 1015, Grahamstown 6140, South Africa
*E-mail: fishelv@ccsg.tau.ac.il
ABSTRACT: A study of 78 species of cardinal fishes (Apogonidae) revealed that 22 of them had black guts, 5 species had partly black guts and, in 51 species, the digestive tube was unpigmented or had dispersed melanophores in the external tunic. The black
pigmentation is caused by melanization of the submucosal connective tissue which is situated between the muscularis and the basal lamina of the internal epithelium. This phenomenon was previously observed in moray eels and some pelagic fish. In nocturnal
predators, it appears to serve to conceal bioluminescent prey in the stomach cavity.
KEY WORDS: Apogonids · Melanization of guts
Published in MEPS Vol.
161
(1997) on December 31
ISSN: 0171-8630.
Copyright © Inter-Research, Oldendorf/Luhe, 1997
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