Indian Journal of Science and Technology

Abstract

Ecological parameters have influence on the size of brains and its anatomical parts. The environmental milieu of the fish during development is important. This study establishes the effect of one ecological parameter- habitat. A surface habitat feeding fish namely Etroplus suratensis has been observed and analysed in comparison with a bottom feeding habitat fish Mystus gulio. Both fishes were the inhabitants of fresh water, habituating diverse ecological milieu. M. Gulio possessed large brains with a well developed cerebellum compared to E. Suratensis inhabiting the bottom strata possessing large eyes at the bottom to aid its feeding nature. In the present study, the variations in brain lobe during the maturing stages were more significant than in the later stages.
Keywords: E. Suratensis, M. Gulio, Habitat, Evolution, Fish brain.