Photographic and Radiograpic Study of Osteological Abnormalities of the Head of Adult African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus)

Abstract

O. T. Akomolafe OLATUNJI-AKIOYE, A. O.; ADEYEMO, O, K. & AKOMOLAFE, O. T. Photographic and radiograpic study of osteological abnormalities of the head of adult african catfish (Clarias gariepinus). Int. J. Morphol., 28(3):719-722, 2010. SUMMARY: Radiography is a practical screening tool to detect subtle skeletal abnormalities in the adult catfish. Systematic identification of skeletal abnormalities in vertebrates provides an insight into the pathogenesis of skeletal disorders. In the present study; we conducted a mutagenesis screen for skeletal dysplasias in adult catfish, using photography and radiography to assess abnormalities in skeletal anatomy and bone morphology of the head. Two of the fish had skeletal protuberances on the head, while the third had a skeletal depression on the head with associated jaw deformity. However, there was no spinal involvement or other skeletal abnormalities. This study suggests a need for closer monitoring of cultured fish species; including dietary and nutritional requirements, breeding and exposure to pollution and pollutants.