Int. J. Dev. Biol. 45: S129 - S130 (2001)

Vol 45, Issue S1

Ray and inter-ray blastemas interact to control bifurcations of Danio rerio fin rays

Published: 1 June 2001

C Murciano, J Ruiz, D Maseda, TD Fernandez, I Duran, F Marin-Giron, J Becerra, M Mari-Beffa

Univ Malaga, Fac Sci, Dept Cell Biol & Genet, Malaga 29071, Spain

Abstract

Teleost fin rays bifurcations are characteristic of each fin ray of the fishes. These structures are formed of two parenthesis-like dermal bones (hemi-rays) and surrounded by a loose connective tissue and a multistratified planar epidermis. Each ray is joined to their neighbour rays by the interray. The interray is composed of a loose connective tissue surrounded by the epidermis (Becerra et al, 1983). In previous works we have shown the necessity of tissues neighbour to the ray blastema for a proper bifurcation (Mari-Beffa et al, 1996, 1999). In this communication we present evidences in favour of the hypothesis that the interray blastema. is specifically necessary for a proper differentiation of the bifurcation processes in each ray during regeneration in Danio rerio (Hamilton-Buchanan) (Cyprinidae, Teleostei).

Keywords

Tail