Ontogeny of the osteocranium in the African catfish,Clarias gariepinus Burchell (1822) (Siluriformes: Clariidae): Ossification sequence as a response to functional demands

The ontogeny of the bony skull of the African catfish, Clarias gariepinus, is studied from initial ossification until a complete skull is formed. The ossification sequence in C. gariepinus seems to be related to the functional demands that arise in a developing larva. Early ossification of the opercular bone coincides with the initiation of opercular skin movements. Early ossifications involve several dentulous bones, formed shortly before the transition phase from endogenous to exogenous feeding. The enlarging branchiostegal membrane becomes supported by the gradual adding of branchiostegal rays. Parasphenoid ossification may be related to protection of the brain during prey transport, whereas the several hyoid bones, including the parurohyal, are formed in relation to the increasing loads exerted onto the tendons of the sternohyoideus and consequently onto the hyoid bar. Overall skull reinforcement occurs almost simultaneously, with a whole set of perichondral bones arising especially at places of high mechanical load. The suspensorium becomes protected against dislocation in an anteroposterior direction through a ligamentous connection, which even becomes partially ossified, forming the sesamoid entopterygoid. Later, the cranial lateral-line system becomes enclosed by a set of gutters, which close, frequently becoming plate-like later in ontogeny. The brain also becomes covered dorsally. Additional dentition (prevomeral tooth plates) formation seems to coincide with formation of the opercular four-bar system, as well as with the time the digestive system becomes completely functional. Eventually, unossified regions between the bones become closed off, fortifying and completely covering the skull. J. Morphol. 235:183–237, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.