Morphology of the digestive system of Menticirrhus saxatilis (Teleostei: Sciaenidae)

Abstract

As morphological characters related to bentophagy, Menticirrhus saxatilis shows the mental tentacle and pores, the supraoral fold, and the ventral position of mouth. The visceral skeleton shows notably wider the mandibular and preopercular lateral line channels; an additional condyle is found in the palatine for a special articulation with the parasphenoid. As conspicuous characters of the visceral musculature are: the tentacular section of intermandibularis, the multiple division of the adductor mandibulae, and of the insertion of the retractor dorsalis on the sides of the two first vertebrae. As notably ligaments are the rostrals and the one located between sections A3 and the rest of the adductor mandibulae. The morphology of the digestive tract is of typical carnivore. The intestine has the 70% of the standard length. This species has a big stomach caecum and seven pyloric caeca. Mandibular and pharyngeal dentition is of curved, conical and pointed teeth of various sizes, while teeth of the rest of branchial arches are fine, and on dental plates.