On the record of vertebral deformities in Mastacembelus mastacembelus collected from the lower reaches of Euphrates River, Iraq

Abstract

Severe deformity such as coalescence of vertebrae, compact vertebrae, loss of vertebral parts, and different levels of deformed vertebral centra and minor deformities such as undulation of the haemal spines of the vertebrae are reported in six specimens of Mastacembelus mastacembelus(Family: Mastacembelidae) collected from the lower reaches of Euphrates River, at Nasiria marsh area, Iraq. Several abdominal and caudal vertebrae are involved in this anomaly. Possible causes such as genetic and epigenetic factors may be implicated in this anomaly.