Agbugui MO¹* and Oniye SJ²

¹Department of Biological Sciences, Edo State University, Uzairue, Nigeria

²Department of Zoology, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria

*Corresponding Author: Agbugui MO, Department of Biological Sciences, Edo State University, Uzairue, Nigeria.

Received: December 16, 2021; Published: January 18, 2022 January 13, 2022;

Abstract

Background: Polypterus bichir belonging to the family Polypteridae is widely distributed in Nile basin and West Africa. In Nigeria, it is highly valued as an indigenous ornamental fish, relish dish and of commercial importance. Apart from its importance as an exported fish source with value of commercial importance not much is known about this fish species, its hardy and rich protein source could perhaps make it as suitable identity in fish culture an increase the variety of affordable culture-able species in Nigeria hence the study of the anatomy and histology of its gastrointestinal tract.

Results: The anatomy is a composite one composing of oesophagus, a “Y” shaped stomach highly vascularised lungs, an anterior valvular intestine and a true intestine which ends in the cloaca. The histological results of the GIT show four conspicuous layers of outer circular muscularis, inner longitudinal layer, submucosa, mucosa from the outer to the inside. The gut revealed various mucus glands, longitudinal folds, with a prominent columnar epithelium. These features provide durable length for an extension of the gut. The mucus aids lubrication and movement of food materials, protection in the mucosal epithelium from injuries.

Conclusions: The GIT is a composite of organs and reveals that it well adapted for a hardy survival, purely a carnivore that could be managed under propagation and culture. The histology reveals a GIT formed by four conspicuous layers from the inside to the outside of mucosa, submucosa, and inner longitudinal layer of muscularis and outer circular of muscularis typical of higher vertebrates.

Keywords: Polyterus bichir; Canine Teeth; Valvular Intestine; Git; Oesophagus; Gastric Gland

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Citation

Citation: Agbugui MO and Oniye SJ. “Gross Anatomy and Histological Features of Polypterus bichir (Cuvier, 1829) from the Lower River Niger at Agenebode in Edo State, Nigeria". Acta Scientific Gastrointestinal Disorders 5.2 (2022): 03-11.

Copyright

Copyright: © 2022 Agbugui MO and Oniye SJ. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.