Devitsina, GV

J. ICHTHYOL.; VOPR. IKHTIOL., vol. 37, no. 1, pp. 87-92; vol. 37, no. 1, pp. 94-100, Feb 1997

The two White Sea gadids, Gadus morhua marisalbi and Eleginus navaga, have paired pelvic fins with ten rays, two of which are significantly longer and lighter colored than others. The electron and light microscopy revealed that the epidermis of these two rays was rich with various sensory elements. The sensory cells of tactile type with rare microvillae of equal length were most numerous. Taste buds were also numerous on the surface of rays and protruded above the epidermis surface or submerged into the taste pores. In addition, tips of solitary chemosensory cells were also frequent in the epidermis of the first two rays. Unpaired chin barbel is especially rich in taste buds in both fishes. Thus, the two long rays of pelvic fins and the chin barbel in G. morhua and E. navaga are well-developed polysensory organs that play an important role in sensory provision of the completion phases of feeding behavior of these fishes, perceiving tactile and different chemical stimuli.