Morphological description of the digestive tube of white croaker (Micropogonias furnieri, Desmarest, 1823) (Sciaenidae) in the Coastal Region Paulista

Abstract

Studies have revealed diversity in teleosts feeding, conditioned to environmental characteristics and biology of each species. Analyses on the digestive system morphology in fish have allowed knowing the diet of several species at different stages of life. However, it is known that dietary habits can trigger morphological changes in the digestive system the same way that different feeding behaviors may be imposed by morphological constraints of the system. The morphological changes in the digestive system can also indicate pollution. Among the most important commercial species in Brazil, stands out croaker (Micropogonias furnieri), given their large representation in the fish that landed in the ports of the southeastern coast. Therefore, by means of macro and microscopic analyses, the objective is to analyze the general constitution of the wall in the digestive tract, from the esophagus, specimens of croaker (M. furnieri) collected in the coastal region of Santos, São Paulo, Brazil. It is expected that the results observed and reported on the morphology of the M. furnieri digestive tract broaden knowledge about their biology as a basis for further studies and support the management and rational culture in line with the ecological balance. (AU)