THE OCCURRENCE AND DEVELOPMENT OF SIAMESE TWINS AND OTHER ABNORMALITIES IN OREOCHROMIS-MOSSAMBICUS (PISCES, CICHLIDAE)

Authors
HOLDEN KK BRUTON MN
Citation
Kk. Holden et Mn. Bruton, THE OCCURRENCE AND DEVELOPMENT OF SIAMESE TWINS AND OTHER ABNORMALITIES IN OREOCHROMIS-MOSSAMBICUS (PISCES, CICHLIDAE), South African journal of zoology, 28(2), 1993, pp. 107-112
Citations number
14
Categorie Soggetti
Zoology
Journal title
South African journal of zoology → ACNP
ISSN journal
02541858
Volume
28
Issue
2
Year of publication
1993
Pages
107 - 112
Database
ISI
SICI code
0254-1858(1993)28:2<107:TOADOS>2.0.ZU;2-D
Abstract
Specimens from a clutch of Oreochromis mossambicus (Pisces, Cichlidae) exhibited a number of abnormalities such as enlarged pericardia, thin tube-like hearts, large depressions in the yolksac, spinal deformitie s and twinning. Descriptions of the differences in early ontogeny of t wo pairs of 'Siamese twins' over a period of at least eight days are g iven. The developmental pattern of the twins is similar to that of nor mal specimens but the developmental rate is slower in the twins. Possi ble explanations for these occurrences of polyembryony are given.