• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.36-42
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• 2005

Histological observations on the barbels of catfish (Siluridae) in Korea are reported. The mandibular barbel of Far Eastern catfish, Silurus asotus, has epidermis and dermis surrounding an axial rod of cartilage. The stratified epidermis embodies mucous cells, club cells, and taste buds. The mucous cells, which are thin rims of basophilic cytoplasm, and the taste buds, which are basophilic, are located at the surface and the distal portion of the epidermis, respectively. The basement membrane lies between the epidermis and dermis except in places of dermal papillae. The dermis is made up of loose connective tissue fibers enclosing nerve bundles and blood vessels. The central region of cartilage is innermost and enclosed within muscle layers. The mandibular barbel of slender catfish, S. microdorsalis, has an identical structure to those of the Far Eastern catfish however, the percentage thickness of epidermis in the upper and lower parts of the barbel and the number of taste buds in the upper and middle parts of the barbel are different from those of Far Eastern catfish. This study shows that the mandibular barbels in Far Eastern catfish and slender catfish are of a stiff and flexible type.