Development of the lateral line canal system through a bone remodeling process in zebrafish

• The development of the trunk lateral line canal system of zebrafish is described.
• The lateral line canal forms and is maintained through a bone remodeling process.
• Lateral line cells could help to regulate the normal development of trunk canals.
• Progressive increases in canal size coincide with normal canal neuromast growth.

The lateral line system of teleost fish is composed of mechanosensory receptors (neuromasts), comprising superficial receptors and others embedded in canals running under the skin. Canal diameter and size of the canal neuromasts are correlated with increasing body size, thus providing a very simple system to investigate mechanisms underlying the coordination between organ growth and body size. Here, we examine the development of the trunk lateral line canal system in zebrafish. We demonstrated that trunk canals originate from scales through a bone remodeling process, which we suggest is essential for the normal growth of canals and canal neuromasts. Moreover, we found that lateral line cells are required for the formation of canals, suggesting the existence of mutual interactions between the sensory system and surrounding connective tissues.