Assessment of Cranial Neural Crest Proliferation Patterns between the Redeye Tetra \u3cem\u3eMoenkhausia Sanctaefilomenae\u3c/em\u3e and the Zebrafish \u3cem\u3eDanio Rerio\u3c/em\u3e
Among teleost fishes, there is a substantial amount of diversity regarding craniofacial morphology. This study investigated the cellular processes directing the morphological variations observed in the Meckel’s and ceratohyal cartilages of the zebrafish Danio rerio and the redeye tetra Moenkhausia sanctaefilomenae. Utilizing BrdU incorporation, significant interspecific variations relating to cartilage formation were determined. Specifically, interstitial proliferation was found to be more important for the shaping and subsequent growth of the cartilages in D. rerio than in M. sanctaefilomenae. Correspondingly, the expansion of the pharyngeal arches was more dramatic in M. sanctaefilomenae than in D. rerio. This study demonstrates that differential developmental mechanisms underlie the apparent disparities in craniofacial morphology between these two species of fishes
