ULTRASTRUCTURE OF THE SECONDARY EGG ENVELOPE OF CYPRINODONTIDAE OF THE GENUS EPIPLATYS GILL, 1862 (PISCES, TELEOSTEI)

The structure of the secondary egg envelope of seven species of Cyprin odontidae belonging to the genus Epiplatys was observed by transmissio n and scanning electron microscopy. The transverse structure of the se condary envelope examined by transmission electron microscopy is a con stant feature in all the species studied and represents a good criteri on for identification. In contrast, the surface structure of the secon dary envelope when observed by scanning electron microscopy exhibits a great diversity of form. It is possible to distinguish each of the se ven different species by the pattern of ornamentation, the width of th e polygons and the size of the granules comprising them on the seconda ry egg envelope.