The complex rostral morphology and the endoskeleton ossification process of two adult samples of Xiphias gladius (Xiphiidae)

The authors studied the morphology of the upper and lower jaws, vertebrae and dorsal-fin rays of the teleost fish Xiphias gladius to analyse the skeletal architecture and ossification pattern. The analogies and differences among these segments were investigated to identify a common morphogenetic denominator of the bone tissue osteogenesis and modeling. The large fat glands in the proximal upper jaw and their relationship to the underlying cartilage (absent in the lower jaw) suggested that there is a mechanism that explains rostral overgrowth in the Xiphiidae and Istiophoriidae families. Thus far, the compact structure of the distal rostrum has been interpreted as being the result of remodeling. Nonetheless, no evidence of cutting cones, scalloped outer border of osteons and sequence of bright-dark bands in polarized light was observed in this study, suggesting a primary osteon texture formed by compacting of collagen matrix and mineral deposition in the fat stroma lacunae of the bone, but without being oriented in layers of the collagen fibrils. A similar histology also characterizes the circular structures present in the other examined segments of the skeleton. The early phases of fibrillogenesis carried out by fibroblast-like cells occurred farther from the already-calcified bone surface inside the fat stroma lacunae. The fibrillar matrix was compacted and underwent mineral deposition near the previously calcified bone surface. This pattern of collagen matrix synthesis and calcification was different from that of mammalian osteoblasts, especially concerning the ability to build a lacuno-canalicular system among cells. Necrosis or apoptosis of the latter and refilling of the empty lacunae by mineral deposits might explain the anosteocytic bone formation.