| Abstract: | The gross morphology and histology of the alimentary tracts of three species of glassy perchlet; Ambassis productus, A. natalensis, and A. gymnocephalus from estuaries on the southeast coast of Africa were investigated. The anatomy of the digestive tracts in all three species was found to be similar. Well-developed dentition and pharyngeal teeth together with a distensible stomach and a low relative gut length (RGL) suggest a predatory and carnivorous habit for all three species. The relative gut lengths of Ambassis species from different estuarine systems are compared‥ Differences in RGL for A. productus and A. natalensis from the Kosi and St Lucia systems with fish from Mdloti estuary are discussed. It is suggested that decreased RGL for fish at Mdloti is attributable to decreased food availability and not to a lack in the calorific content of their diet. Histological investigation revealed the presence of the following regions: a pharynx; an oesophagus; a stomach differentiated into cardiac and pyloric regions; a duodenum or upper intestine; an ileum or lower intestine; and a rectum. Pyloric and rectal sphincters are present. The tunics of the above regions are described. The epithelium of the oesophagus contains taste buds and numerous mucus cells, and varies from stratified anteriorly to simple columnar posteriorly. The muscularis comprises dorsally and ventrally located inner muscle bundles and an outer circular layer. Both layers consist of striated fibres. Gastric glands are present in the mucosa of the cardiac stomach but are absent in the pylorus. Columnar absorbing cells and goblet cells are present in the epithelium of the upper and lower intestine. The rectum is distinguished from the intestine by the proliferation of mucous-secreting cells which are thought to aid defecation. |
