Presenter Information

Jesus M. LealFollow

Major

Biology

Anticipated Graduation Year

2023

Access Type

Open Access

Abstract

Beardfishes, members of the genus Polymixia, are seen as living

fossils, as they are the sole survivors of a Late Cretaceous marine fish

radiation. In this genus, the first intermuscular bone differs from the

rest by lying in the horizontal septum and by being distinctively

larger. In addition, the first anal-fin radial bone is distinctively

enlarged. To investigate the function of these unique characteristics of

Polymixia, we examined multiple specimens and perfected a method

for staining nerves to reveal the innervation of the unique structures.

In doing so, we hypothesize that the function of these structures is

related to sound production involving the swim bladder, and that the

nerves will reveal important clues to their functions.

Faculty Mentors & Instructors

Dr. Grande, Professor, Biology Departement: Dr. Wilson, Professor, Biology Departement

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.

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Investigation of the Function of the First Epicentral Intermuscular Bone and the First Anal-fin Radial Bone in Polymixia lowei

Beardfishes, members of the genus Polymixia, are seen as living

fossils, as they are the sole survivors of a Late Cretaceous marine fish

radiation. In this genus, the first intermuscular bone differs from the

rest by lying in the horizontal septum and by being distinctively

larger. In addition, the first anal-fin radial bone is distinctively

enlarged. To investigate the function of these unique characteristics of

Polymixia, we examined multiple specimens and perfected a method

for staining nerves to reveal the innervation of the unique structures.

In doing so, we hypothesize that the function of these structures is

related to sound production involving the swim bladder, and that the

nerves will reveal important clues to their functions.