Detailed Structure of the Skeleton, Muscles, and Connective-Tissue Elements in the Head of Silver Carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix (Cyprinidae) in Relationship with the Functional Features of Its Visceral Apparatus

Abstract

The structure of some muscles, ligaments, the aponeurotic system, and osteological traits of the visceral apparatus in silver carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix is considered in detail. A number of the revealed traits of the jaw apparatus indicate its adaptation to pulsed suction filtration. The functional features of the feeding apparatus are analyzed based on the anatomical study and data published in literature.