title: Structural and ultrastructural analysis of embryonic development of Prochilodus lineatus (Valenciennes, 1836) (Characiforme; Prochilodontidae).
abstract: This survey was performed to characterize the embryogenesis of Prochilodus lineatus. Seven stages of embryo development were identified--zygote, cleavage, blastula, gastrula, segmentation, larval and hatching--after a period of incubation of 22 h (24 degrees C) or 14 h (28 degrees C). The following cleavage pattern was identified: the first plane was vertical (2 blastomeres); the second was vertical and perpendicular to the first (4 blastomeres); the third was vertical and parallel to the first (4 x 2); the fourth cleavage was vertical and parallel to the second (4 x 4); the fifth was vertical and parallel to the first (4 x 8); and the sixth cleavage was horizontal (64 blastomeres). At the blastula stage (3.0-4.0 h (24 degrees C); 1.66-2.0 h (28 degrees C)) irregular spaces were detected and periblast structuring was initiated. At the gastrula stage (4.0-8.0 h (24 degrees C); 3.0-6.0 h (28 degrees C)) the epiboly, convergence and cell movements, as well as the formation of embryonic layers, had begun. The segmentation stage (10.0-15.0 h (24 degrees C); 7.0-10.0 h (28 degrees C)) was characterized by a rudimentary formation of organs and systems (somites, optic vesicle and intestinal delimitation). The embryo at the larval stage (16.0-21.0 h (24 degrees C); 11.0-13.0 h (28 degrees C)) showed a free tail, more than 25 somites, an optic vesicle and a ready-to-hatch larval shape. The blastomeres at cleavage stage had disorganized nuclei indicating high mitotic activity. At gastrula, the blastomeres and the periblast had euchromatic nuclei and a large number of mitochondria and vesicles. The yolk was organized into globose sacs, which were dispersed into small pieces prior to absorption.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Depto. de Biologia e Zootecnia, Ilha Solteira, São Paulo, Brazil. ninhaus@bio.feis.unesp.br
authors.forename: Alexandre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ninhaus-Silveira
authors.forename: Fausto
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Foresti
authors.forename: Alexandre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: de Azevedo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002970:Cleavage Stage, Ovum / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005399:Fishes / Q000196:embryology*