Morphological Investigation of Larval Development in <em>Maylandia estherae</em> (Konings, 1995), an Endemic Cichlid Species of Lake Malawi

İhsan Çelik & Pınar Çelik

doi:https://doi.org/

Original article | Acta Natura et Scientia 2024, Vol. 5(1) 51-56

Morphological Investigation of Larval Development in Maylandia estherae (Konings, 1995), an Endemic Cichlid Species of Lake Malawi

İhsan Çelik & Pınar Çelik

pp. 51 - 56 | Manu. Number: MANU-2403-20-0002

Published online: May 22, 2024 | Number of Views: 13 | Number of Download: 209

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Abstract

This study investigates the morphological aspects of larval development in Maylandia estherae, an endemic cichlid species from Lake Malawi. Larvae obtained from mature broodstock were sampled daily from hatching until the juvenile stage, and their morphological development was observed under a microscope. Important morphological features such as mouth opening, exogenous feeding, free swimming, yolk sac, and pigmentation were observed and photographed. The findings indicate that M. estherae larvae reached the juvenile stage within approximately 20-25 days. Throughout larval development, it was determined that total length and mouth gape gradually increased, the yolk sac was depleted within 12-13 days, and exogenous feeding commenced alongside the development of free-swimming ability. Additionally, significant changes in fin differentiation and pigmentation were observed in the larvae. The larval development duration and morphological characteristics of M. estherae were found to be similar to those of other Malawi cichlid species. The findings of this study contribute to the understanding of the ontogenetic processes of M. estherae and have implications for aquaculture practices. Furthermore, the results provide a significant contribution to the literature on the larval development of Malawi cichlids and offer insights for future research.

Keywords: Maylandia estherae, Cichlidae, Lake Malawi, Larval development, Morphology

How to Cite this Article?

APA 6th edition
Celik, I. & Celik, P. (2024). Morphological Investigation of Larval Development in Maylandia estherae (Konings, 1995), an Endemic Cichlid Species of Lake Malawi . Acta Natura et Scientia, 5(1), 51-56.

Harvard
Celik, I. and Celik, P. (2024). Morphological Investigation of Larval Development in Maylandia estherae (Konings, 1995), an Endemic Cichlid Species of Lake Malawi . Acta Natura et Scientia, 5(1), pp. 51-56.

Chicago 16th edition
Celik, Ihsan and Pinar Celik (2024). "Morphological Investigation of Larval Development in Maylandia estherae (Konings, 1995), an Endemic Cichlid Species of Lake Malawi ". Acta Natura et Scientia 5 (1):51-56.

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