A comparative analysis of osteocranium morphology in Lutjanus johnii (Bloch, 1792) and Lutjanus gibbus (Forsskal, 1775) inhabiting different habitats

The snapper species Lutjanus gibbus (L. gibbus) is commonly found in coastal areas characterized by coral reefs and clear water, while johnii johnii) resides mangrove waters with murky conditions strong currents. habitat plays a crucial role influencing body shape ossification patterns fish. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the differences cranial bone morphology between two fish that resided contrasting habitats. samples were collected from local fishermen operating of Pulo Aceh, Aceh Besar, Indonesia. Following capture, transported landed at Lampulo Fishing Port Banda for further analysis. For each species, total 5 randomly selected, thorough cleaning scales muscles was performed before drying bones. These dried bones then photographed, edited, subjected detailed showed that, 23 observed skull characters, 15 characters including pre-ethmoidal, ethmoidal lateralis, prefrontal, supraorbital, nasal, ethmoidal, sphenoticum, crista occipital, lacrimal, inter-opercular, opercular, preopercular premaxilla, endopterygoideum, hyomandibular. Significant composing eyes, nose, jaws, ventral region head. In johnii), associated eyes (orbitospenoidal, prefrontal) less developed, those related nose (nasal, pre-ethmoidal) well-developed characteristics. L. displayed relatively small but thicker premaxilla jaw region, along smaller head area.Keywords:OsteologyMorphologyEcomorphologyOsteocraniumMaxillare