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Studies on the physiology of digestion inNandus nandus (Ham.)

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Proceedings / Indian Academy of Sciences

Abstract

Nandus nandus (Ham.) is a carnivorous fish having great power of protrusibility of mouth to devour a complete fish. It mainly feeds on insects, crustaceans and occasionally on algal filaments.

The fish has a small alimentary canal indicating its carnivorous feeding habits. Buccal cavity is provided with a large number of teeth and gill rakers, which prevent the escape of food. Two small caeca are also present at the junction of the stomach and intestine.

The pH of the different parts of the alimentary canal and its associated glands is almost similar to each other and is nearer to neutrality.

Qualitative estimation of enzymes in the different parts of the gut shows that most of the enzymes are secreted by the liver cells. Only a few of them are secreted by the cells of stomach or intestine.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, D.A.V. College, Muzaffarnagar, U.P., India

    V. P. Agrawal & Km. Uma Sharma

Authors
  1. V. P. Agrawal
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  2. Km. Uma Sharma
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Communicated by Prof. R. V. Seshaiya,f.a.sc.

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Agrawal, V.P., Sharma, K.U. Studies on the physiology of digestion inNandus nandus (Ham.). Proc. Indian Acad. Sci. 64, 157–168 (1966). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03052130

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03052130

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