An integrative study of larval organogenesis of American shad Alosa sapidissima in histological aspects

• Published in: Chinese journal of oceanology and limnology 2016, Vol.34 (1), p.136-152
• Main Author: 高小强 洪磊 刘志峰 郭正龙 王耀辉 雷霁霖
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 3日龄; Absorptivity; Alosa sapidissima; Animal populations; Animal reproduction; Biology; Body organs; Convolution; Developmental stages; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth Sciences; Excretory system; Feeding behavior; Filaments; Fish; Freshwater fishes; Gastric glands; Gills; Glands; Hatching; Heart; Hepatocytes; Histology; Intestine; Intestines; Lamellae; Larvae; Larval development; Larval stage; Marine; Morphology; Oceanography; Oesophagus; Organogenesis; Organs; Pancreas; Pharynx; Proliferation; Renal tubules; Spleen; Stomach; Swim bladder; Taste buds; Teeth; Urinary bladder; 器官; 外部形态特征; 幼体发育; 幼虫; 消化吸收能力; 组织结构; 美国鲥鱼
• ISSN: 0254-4059; 2096-5508; 1993-5005; 2523-3521
• DOI: 10.1007/s00343-016-5008-2

We describe organogenesis at a histological level in American shad （Alosa sapidissima） larvae from 0 until 45 days after hatching （DAH）. Larval development was divided into four stages based on the feeding mode, external morphological features, and structural changes in the organs： stage 1 （0 2 DAH）, stage 2 （3-5 DAH）, stage 3 （6-26 DAH） and stage 4 （2745 DAH）. At early stage 2 （3 DAH）, American shad larvae developed the initial digestive and absorptive tissues, including the mouth and anal opening, buccopharyngeal cavity, oesophagus, incipient stomach, anterior and posterior intestine, differentiated hepatocytes, and exocrine pancreas. The digestive and absorptive capacity developed further in stages 2 to 3, at which time the pharyngeal teeth, taste buds, gut mucosa folds, differentiated stomach, and gastric glands could be observed. Four defined compartments were discernible in the heart at 4 DAH. From 3 to 13 DAH, the excretory systems started to develop, accompanied by urinary bladder opening, the appearance and development of primordial pronephros, and the proliferation and convolution of renal tubules. Primordial gills were detected at 2 DAH, the pseudobranch was visible at 6 DAH, and the filaments and lamellae proliferated rapidly during stage 3. The primordial swim bladder was first observed at 2 DAH and started to inflate at 9 DAH; from then on, it expanded constantly. The spleen was first observed at 8 DAH and the thymus was evident at 12 DAH. From stage 4 onwards, most organs essentially manifested an increase in size, number, and complexity of tissue structure.