Figure 8

Stages of neuromast-centered canal morphogenesis in histological sections. Development of the mandibular canal in Tramitichromis sp. (A-E, narrow lateral line canals), and in Aulonocara stuartgranti (F-J, widened canals). Developmental stages defined by [29] and illustrated schematically in Figure 2A. Pink = bone (stained by direct red), blue = Meckel’s cartilage, mucous cells, or loose connective tissue (stained by Alcian blue). Note that the pattern of canal morphogenesis is the same in both species, but that canal diameter and neuromast width become dramatically larger in Aulonocara. N = center of neuromast, indicating location of hair cells (sensory strip). All scale bars = 100 μm.