Trophic microvilli of the belated embryos of Gambusia affinis (Baird and Girard) (Atheriniformes: Poeciliidae)

Abstract

The gestation period of Gambusia affinis under laboratory conditions was found to vary between 16 and 28 days. In young ones born after shorter gestation period, the yolk-sac always protruded through a ventral slit of the bodywall. Development of special trophic microvilli has been observed on the ventral suture of the embryos which had been retained inside the ovary for longer periods of gestation. The microvilli measured 0.01 to 0.5 mm in length and the larger ones were usually bifurcated. Heavy vascularisation was observed in the regions close to the microvilli. The presence of such microvilli has been reported for the first time in this viviparous species. It was also noticed that the gestation period and the developmental stage reached by the embryos at the time of parturition were determined by the number of embryos present in the brood

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