Radiographic and tomographic description of marlin sucker Remora osteochir, Pisces: Echeneidae—preliminary data of one specimen

Abstract

Remoras are commensal fish of various marine species, such as sharks, swordfishes, turtles, dolphins, manta rays and whales. One specimen of marlin sucker Remora osteochir was evaluated using computed tomography for skeletal digital reconstruction, digital radiology for general evaluation and bone counting, and the double contrast technique to distinguish coelomic organs. In radiographic images, it was possible to observe otoliths in the center of the neurocranium, to count 27 vertebrae, nine pairs of ribs, and to detect the presence of the hipural and epural bones near of the caudal fin. In double contrast images, it was possible to visualize the swim bladder, gills, heart, liver, stomach and intestines. From the tomographic images and reconstructions, it was possible to identify the intercalar bones of the cephalic disc; the spine with vertebral bodies composed of neural arches and ventral ribs; and the pectoral girdle formed by posttemporal, cleithrum and scapulocoracoid bones. It was concluded that digital radiology and computed tomography were able to describe anatomical structures of marlin sucker R. osteochir without the need for dissection.