Contributions to the Functional Morphology of Fishes

Abstract

During recent years the functional anatomy of the head region of fishes has been the subject of a number of projects by Honours students in the University of Cape Town perfonned under the supervision of the author. Due partly to the University's unique position on the southern tip of Africa, and partly to the facilities offered by various sources, it has been possible to obtain a wide variety of material. In these projects the emphasis has been laid on the functional aspect of the problem and whenever possible anatomical data have been supported by observations on the feeding, respiratory and other mechanisms of living fish. This is an aspect which was sadly neglected by the earlier workers who have, however, laid an invaluable foundation of anatomical knowledge on which we can work.