Anatomical characterization of the digestive system of the pufferfish (<i>Chilomycterus spinosus spinosus</i>)

Abstract

Descriptive studies of the fish digestive system are fundamental because they provide information on the biology of the species. Thus, the objective of this study was to morphologically describe the digestive system of the pufferfish, Chilomycterus spinosus spinosus. For this, adult specimens of pufferfish (n = 10) of both sexes were used. The animals were fixed with 10% aqueous formaldehyde solution, dissected, analyzed descriptively and photographed. The results demonstrate that the pufferfish has a morphologically modified digestive system, which is adapted to the defense behavior. This species presents a pouch-shaped diverticulum, that is called abdominal pouch, which allows the expansion of the celomatic cavity and the temporary storage of food. Although it is used to store food, macroscopically the abdominal pouch does not show gastric folds. However, this absence is compensated by a small intestine containing innumerable villi.

Primer registro del pez globo Chilomycterus spinosus (familia Diodontidae) en el Caribe colombiano

“…On the other hand, the depth where the specimen was found (1.5 m) differs from reports by Figueiredo and Menezes (2000), where a range between 70 and 190 m depth is mentioned. Other authors, such as Robertson and Van Tassell (2019), describe a range from 0 to 200 m, similar to the data from Santos et al (2015) and Pereira et al (2019), where individuals of C. spinosus were captured in estuaries near the coast of Brazil, at depths close to 5 m. These data show a variation in the depth range of the species and reflect a presence of this organism in shallower waters. The confirmation of the presence of this species, represents a contribution to the country's fish diversity, as well as an expansion of its distribution to the southwestern Caribbean.…”

“…Por otro lado, la profundidad en la que se encontró el ejemplar (1,5 m) difiere de la registrada por Figueiredo y Menezes (2000), donde se presenta un rango entre 70 y 190 m de profundidad. Otros autores, como Robertson y Van Tassell (2019), describen un rango desde cero (0) a los 200 m, dato acorde con lo registrado en los estudios de Santos et al (2015) y Pereira et al (2019), quienes capturaron individuos de C. spinosus en estuarios cercanos a la costa de Brasil, en profundidades cercanas a 5 m. Estos datos suponen una variación en el rango de profundidad de la especie y reflejan una presencia de este diodóntido en aguas más someras y superficiales. La confirmación de la presencia de esta especie en Colombia representa un aporte en la diversidad íctica del país, así como una ampliación en su rango de distribución hacia el Caribe suroccidental.…”