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