STUDIES ON BIOLOGICAL ARCHITECTURE OF CEPHALIC MUSCLES IN THE FISH CHANNA ORIENTALIS

The present investigation shows that the muscles of the opercular region, the levator arecus palatine and dilator opercula are not well developed, due to air-breathing habits of fish. The frequent movements of operculum as seen in other fishes are reduced. Although the frequent opening and closing of the mouth is absent in this fish, the muscles of the adductor mandibulae are very well developed due to carnivorous habit which needs powerful muscles to crush the food. The eye muscles in Channa orientalis have similar pattern as found in majority of fishes.