The internal and external anatomy of Labeo umbratus
Hannah Janse van Vuuren
Abstract
The anatomy of an Labeo umbratus specimen, found in the Krugersdrif dam, was studied. Annotations of the positions of the internal organs as well as the external morphological characteristics were made. Upon further analysis, several characteristics were identified that would have eased life in aquatic environments. Some of these characteristics include, sensory receptors located on the head as well as on the lateral view of the body, the shape of the fish, specialised, paired appendages, respiratory structures as well as structures aiding the fish in buoyancy. The way in which the internal organs and the external appendages were arranged in and on the fish, showed great evolutionary adaptations to the water environments in which they reside.
Key words
adaptations, Labeo umbratus, morphology, specialised, water
Introduction
The main interest during the dissection of Labeo umbratus, was to identify the most important structures and adaptations present, that allowed the fish to lead a successful life in a
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Fox, R. 2001. Invertebrate Anatomy OnLine: Artemia Franciscana. Lander University. http://webs.lander.edu/rsfox/invertebrates/artemia.html, retrieved February 13, 2011.
Mink Intro – External Anatomy Overview. (n.d.). mreroh.com . Retrieved May 27, 2014, from http://www.mreroh.com/student/apdocs/Dissection/Intro%20-%20External%20Anatomy.pdf
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