<b>Dusky grouper <em>Epinephelus marginatus</em> (Lowe, 1834) (Teleostei, Serranidae) gastrintestinal anatomy and histology</b> - doi: 10.4025/actascibiolsci.v32i4.4462

Abstract

The dusky grouper (Epinephelus marginatus) is a serranida species with great ecological importance and good perspectives for rearing. The investigation of the digestive tract morphology associated to the feeding activity is essential for the understanding of the biology of this species and a basic premise for research on feed requirements, feed development and appropriate feeding methods. The present study describes the anatomy and histological variations along the digestive tract of Epinephelus marginatus juveniles associating the histology with function and feeding habit. It was verified that this species possesses a high number of different cellular types along the digestive tube intimately related with the innate and adaptative immunological responses.