Journal Article
Ontogenetic Development of Hyperostosis in the Crevalle Jack Caranx hippos (Linnaeus, 1766) and New Records of Affected Bone Regions
Camila Vitória Gonçalves Ferreira; Davi Lettieri Santos dos Abrahão; Alice Miranda Cardoso de‐Sá; Alice Barbosa Henriques; Ana Julia Araujo Rosa D’ Almeida Lima; Maykon Victor Rezende de Oliveira; Márcia Carolina Salomão; Helena Passeri Lavrado; Fernando Augusto Pereira Tuna
Journal of Fish Diseases · 2026
Abstract
Hyperostosis is a non‐pathological condition widely reported in marine teleosts, yet its developmental dynamics and underlying drivers remain poorly understood. This study investigates the ontogenetic progression and anatomical distribution of hyperostosis in Caranx hippos based on a growth series of 39 specimens collected along the Brazilian coast. Individuals were categorised into two size classes (class 1 C. hippos , with minor variation in the onset and extent of affected regions. The observed ontogenetic progression supports the hypothesis that hyperostosis develops sequentially across skeletal elements rather than simultaneously. These findings, combined with ecological and biomechanical considerations, suggest that hyperostosis results from multiple interacting factors, including growth‐related mechanical loading and environmental variability. Overall, this study provides a comprehensive characterisation of hyperostotic development in C. hippos , highlighting the importance of ontogenetic approaches for understanding the biological and functional significance of this condition in marine fishes.