The fine structure of fins and finrays of Tilapia mossambica (Peters).

Light and electron-microscopic studies were carried out on the fins of the fish Tilapia mossambica (Peters). A detailed description is presented of the different skeletal components comprising the finrays. The mode of development of the hemisegments appears in several ways similar to that of fish scales. Each hemisegment is contained by an envelope of scleroblasts which secrete collagen fibres in a unipolar fashion. Calcification takes place as a result of deposition of hydroxyapatite-like crystals between the collagen fibres. However, the orientation of these fibres is not as regular as that of the fibres occurring in scales.