Ovipositor of bitterling fishes (Cyprinidae, Acheilognathinae): fine structure from a functional perspective

The study presents fine structure data on the ovipositor of four bitterling species (Rhodeus ocellatus, Rhodeus amarus, Paratanakia himantegus and Acheilognathus barbatulus). In A. barbatulus P. himantegus, has never been studied. Novel were collected using two complementary methods, light- transmission electron microscopy. new findings relate to covering lining epithelia, basal laminae, cell junctions supporting/connective tissue layer. All examined fish shared same basic newly reported details, regardless their affiliation. Evaluation modifications related passage eggs through revealed a range transitional changes, corroborating presumable role inferred from structure.