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Article
Development of Embryonic Gill Vasculature in the Yellow Stingray, Urobatis jamaicensis
The Anatomical Record
  • Bethany L. Basten, Nova Southeastern University
  • Robin L. Sherman, Nova Southeastern University
  • Alois Lametschwandtner, Universität Salzburg - Austria
  • Richard E. Spieler, Nova Southeastern University
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-1-2011
Keywords
  • Vascular Corrosion Cast,
  • Elasmobranch,
  • Stingray,
  • Gill,
  • Development,
  • Urobatis
Abstract

Corrosion casting was utilized to examine the development of gill vasculature in embryonic yellow stingrays, Urobatis jamaicensis (formerly Urolophus jamaicensis). The most marked changes in vascular configuration of the gills occur in the earliest castable stages of gestation. These changes included development of afferent external gill filament vessels and progression from paired dorsal aortae to a single fused dorsal aorta. Internal gill vasculature was found to nearly match that of an adult by the time the external gill filaments had fully regressed and yolk sac had been exhausted (>47 mm disc width). Examination of embryo casts also revealed characteristics of the branchial vasculature not previously reported in adult specimens. These include the presence of pre-lamellar sphincters, intertrematic branches, afferent distributing arteries, which supply blood to many afferent filament arteries resulting in greater interconnection of the filaments, and observation that the afferent branchial artery in the first hemibranch supplies blood directly to afferent filament arteries on the dorsal half of this arch.

Comments

©2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

DOI
10.1002/ar.21430
Citation Information
Bethany L. Basten, Robin L. Sherman, Alois Lametschwandtner and Richard E. Spieler. "Development of Embryonic Gill Vasculature in the Yellow Stingray, Urobatis jamaicensis" The Anatomical Record Vol. 294 Iss. 8 (2011) p. 1423 - 1432 ISSN: 1932-8486
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/robin-sherman/28/