Abstract:
A study on the development of the digestive system of marble goby (Oxyeleotris
marmoratus) larvae was conducted from hatching until 35 days after hatching (DAH)
by histological and histochemical techniques. At hatching, the digestive system
appear as a straight undifferentiated tube, with a small lumen and the mouth and anus
still not open. During the endogenous feeding phase (0-3 DAH), yolk was absorption
while the gut differentiated into a buccal cavity, oesophagus and intestine. The liver
appeared as compact basophilic tissue and situated between the yolk sac and the
developing gut without any vacuoles. The epithelium of the intestine started to fold
on 2 DAH. The rectum was separated from the anterior intestine by the ileorectal
valve. Lipid vacuoles were observed in the rectum on 3 DAH and in small intestine
on 7 DAH. At onset of exogenous feeding (4-5 DAH), the digestive tract was divided
into 5 parts: buccopharynx, oesophagus, stomach, intestine and rectum.
