On the origin, development and probable functions of taste bud in the lip and bucco-pharyngeal epithelia of an Indian freshwater major carp, Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton) in relation to food and feeding habits.

1. Various developmental stages of taste bud have been observed in the fry, fingerling and adult of Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton). 2. The fries are zooplankton-feeders (carnivorous) and sight-feeders. Therefore, functional taste buds are absent in the lip and bucco-pharyngeal epithelia. Only formative stages of taste bud are present. Some epithelial cells aggregate together to form this structure which has no function in gustation. Moreover, the fires have low R. L. G. valle (0.71;..1.20) due to the carnivorous diet. 3. In the fingerling, the stages of elongation, differentiation and maturation of taste bund develop from the formative stage present in the fries in order to adjust to changed food and feeding habit. The value of R. L. G; (1.21...3.10) also increases. 4. Fully formed taste buds along with the stage of differentiation are found in the adult stage. The adult fish becomes herbivorous and bottom-feeder. Consequently, the value of R.L.G. 3.11...12) becomes highest in this stage.