Journal of Tropical Oceanography ›› 2025, Vol. 44 ›› Issue (3): 130-140.doi: 10.11978/2024143CSTR: 32234.14.2024143

• Marine Biology • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Early ontogeny of chromatophores and body color changes of the Banggai cardinalfish, Pterapogon kauderni

YU Tianhong1,2(), FAN Yuxuan1, LI Ling1,2, CHEN Nan1,2, WANG Shuhong1,2,3()   

  1. 1. Fisheries College of Jimei University, Xiamen 361021, China
    2. Ornamental Aquarium Engineering Research Centre in University of Fujian Province, Xiamen 361021, China
    3. Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Xiamen 361021, China
  • Received:2024-07-19 Revised:2024-09-12 Online:2025-05-10 Published:2025-06-04
  • Contact: WANG Shuhong
  • Supported by:
    Guided Project of Fujian Provincial Department of Science and Technology(2022N0014); The Regional Demonstration Project of the 13th Five-Year Plan of Marine Economy Innovation & Development in Xiamen(16PZY002SF18)

Abstract:

By microscopic observation and photography, the morphological characteristics and distribution of chromatophores during the early life history of Pterapogon kauderni were investigated, as well as the body color changes. The results showed that it took 15~22 days for a fertilized egg to hatch under (27±0.5) ℃. The embryo developed to the organ formation stage on the 4th day post fertilization (dpf). Melanin appeared in the eyeball at 6 dpf, xanthophore appeared at the somites at 7 dpf, reflecting platelets appeared in the eye at 8 dpf, and leucophores emerged on the second dorsal fin at 19 dpf. The formation of body color pattern of P. kauderni began with the appearance of melanocytes in the interorbital space at 12 dpf; the first pigment band in the snout became visible at 21 dpf; the yolk sac was completely absorbed and the four lateral pigment bands on the body and the Y-shaped pigment band at the tail were largely formed on the 1st day post hatching (dph). White spots started to appear between the third and fourth pigment bands in the middle of the body at 70 dph, and the body color was consistent with that of a 2-year-old adult fish at 220 dph. The research results can provide a theoretical basis for exploring the regulation mechanism of body color formation in P. kauderni and the development of ornamental fish evolution theory, as well as their genetic breeding.

Key words: Pterapogon kauderni, chromatophores, body color pattern, early development

CLC Number: 

  • S917.4