Worth a second look: gill structure in Hemipecten forbesianus (Adams & Reeve, 1849) and taxonomic implications for the Pectinidae

The gill of the reef-dwelling Hemipecten forbesianus was examinedusing histology and scanning electron microscopy, in order toverify its reported homorhabdic state, and to provide the firstdetailed information on tropical pectinid gill structure. Dueto the difficulty of obtaining live individuals, museum referencespecimens were used for this study. The gill is heterorhabdic,and presents several notable differences compared to the larger,temperate species studied to date: (1) the small number of ordinaryfilaments per plica (probably associated with the very smallsize of these specimens), (2) the outer demibranch is approximately15% shorter than the inner demibranch, (3) several characteristicswhich confer gill cohesion in other pectinid gills are absentand (4) the principal filaments are devoid of mucocytes, suchthat particle transport of positively-selected particles mustbe entirely effected in water. The apparent universality ofthe heterorhabdic condition within the Pectinidae leads us torecommend its use as a reliable soft-body taxonomic characterat the family level. The anatomical differences between thegill of H. forbesianus and that of the larger, temperate speciescall for further comparison with both large and small, temperateand tropical species, in order to elucidate the effects of sizeand habitat on gill structure in this family. (Received 26 June 2007; accepted 14 January 2008)     

合浦珠母贝鳃的显微与超微结构

合浦珠母贝(Pinctada fucata)是典型的滤食性瓣鳃类动物,也是我国重要的海水珍珠养殖贝类。本研究用光学显微镜、扫描电镜和透射电镜观察了合浦珠母贝鳃的显微和超微结构。结果表明,合浦珠母贝鳃结构属于异丝鳃型,左右两侧各2个鳃瓣,每个鳃瓣由内鳃瓣和外鳃瓣组成。鳃瓣由主鳃丝和普通鳃丝构成,主鳃丝在鳃瓣中主要起支架作用,每2根主鳃丝之间的9～12根普通鳃丝由"簇内连接"(intrabunchial junction)相连成簇。普通鳃丝之间通过"丝间连接"(interfilament junction)相连,丝间连接的上皮细胞与普通鳃丝的扁平细胞结构一样,为鳃的呼吸上皮。丝间连接的存在扩大了鳃的表面积,这种结构有助于进行气体交换。主鳃丝和普通鳃丝表面有前纤毛和侧纤毛,与食物运送和气体交换有关。普通鳃丝表面的纤毛为典型的"9+2"型微管结构。     

Tissue damage and leukocytic infiltration following attachment of the mite Unionicola intermedia to the gills of the bivalve mollusc Anodonta anatina

Unionicola intermedia lives as a parasite in the gill region of Anodonta anatina. It attaches to the gills of its host by means of the pedipalps which cause displacement, rupture, and erosion of the gill epithelium. The pedipalps are sunk deeply into the underlying connective tissue of the gills and produce a leukocytic infiltration into the damaged area and a consequent edema of the gill filaments.     

Autoradiographic analysis of amino acid uptake by the gill ofMytilus

Summary Autoradiography was used to examine the influence of lateral ciliary activity on the pattern of leucine uptake into isolated gill tissue from the mussel,Mytilus californianus. Metachronal activity of the lateral cilia, normally absent in the in vitro gill, was reestablished by application of 10 μM 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT). This treatment produced a 5–7 fold stimulation in the rate of leucine uptake into isolated gills. The treatment with 5-HT did not, however, affect the fractional incorporation of leucine into alcohol insoluble vs alcohol soluble material. Autoradiograms of gills treated with 5-HT showed extensive labelling of frontal, lateral, and abfrontal surfaces of gill filaments compared to the control condition in which label was largely confined to the frontal region of the gill. Quantitative analyses of the autoradiograms revealed a 4-fold increase in the number of silver grains over lateral and abfrontal surfaces compared to control gills. Autoradiograms of gills from intact mussels exposed to³H-leucine showed a pattern of silver grain deposition similar to that observed in in vitro gills treated with 5-HT. It is concluded that the capacity for amino acid transport exists in cells from the frontal, lateral, and abfrontal surfaces of gill filaments, butaccess to dissolved substrates by transport sites on lateral and abfrontal surfaces is dependent upon lateral ciliary activity.     

Morphology and vascular anatomy of the gills of a primitive air-breathing fish,the bowfin (Amia calva)

Summary The morphology of the gills of a primitive air breather (Amia calva) was examined by light microscopy of semithin sections of gill filaments, and gill perfusion pathways were identified by scanning-electron microscopic analysis of corrosion replicas prepared by intravascular injection of methyl methacrylate. The arrangement of gill filaments and respiratory lamellae is similar to that of teleosts with the exception of an interfilamental support bar that is fused to the outer margins of lamellae on adjacent filaments. The prebranchial vasculature is also similar to that of teleosts, whereas the postbranchial circulation of arches III and IV is modified to permit selective perfusion of the air bladder. Gill filaments contain three distinct vascular systems: (1) the respiratory circulation which receives the entire cardiac output and perfuses the secondary lamellae; (2) a nutrient system that arises from the postlamellar circulation and perfuses filamental tissues; (3) a network of unknown function consisting of subepithelial sinusoids surrounding afferent and efferent margins of the filament and traversing the filament beneath the interlamellar epithelium. Prelamellar arteriovenous anastomoses (AVAs) are rare, postlamellar AVAs are common especially at the base of the filament where they form a dense network of small tortuous vessels before coalescing into a large filamental nutrient artery. Unlike in most teleosts, the outer vascular margins of the lamellae are embedded in the interfilamental support bar and become the sole vasculature of this tissue. Arterial-arterial lamellar bypass vessels were not observed. Previously observed decreases in oxygen transfer across the gills during air breathing can be explained only by redistribution of blood flow between or within the respiratory lamellae.Supported by NSF Grant No. PCM 79-23073The author wishes to thank Miss K. Drajus and D. Kullman for their excellent technical assistance and Dr. W. Gingerich, Mr. J. Crowther and D. Zurn for help in obtaining bowfin     

金鱼(Carassius auratus)鳃对颗粒吸附态铅的吸收

研究了金鱼（Ｃａｒａｓｓｉｕｓ ａｕｒａｔｕｓ）鳃在悬浮水铝矿吸附态Ｐｂ暴露实验中对Ｐｂ吸收过程,结果表明,在保持水中游离态Ｐｂ浓度不变（０．１ｍｇ．Ｌ＾－１）、吸附态Ｐｂ浓度增加的条件下,鳃中Ｐｂ,Ａｌ浓度均随暴露浓度增加而增加,血液中Ｐｂ浓度随鳃中Ｐｂ浓度的增加率（直线斜率０．１７１）低于溶解态Ｐｂ、暴露实验的增加率（直线斜率０．３４３）,附着鳃上的部分Ｐｂ未移转至血液中,鳃中Ｐｂ／Ａｌ比较水     

Gross morphology and surface ultrastructure of the gills of Odontesthes argentinensis (Actinopterygii, Atherinopsidae) from a Southwestern Atlantic coastal lagoon

Odontesthes argentinensis was collected from Mar Chiquita Coastal Lagoon, the Southernmost coastal Atlantic Lagoon of Argentina. The morphology of the gills was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. The morphology of the superficial structures of the gill filaments and pharyngeal region of the gill arch was discussed and related to their functional aspects. The gills arches are structurally similar to those of other teleosts and bring out the osmoregulatory capacity of this species. The epithelium that covers the surface of the filaments and the pharyngeal region of the gill arch is formed by polygonal pavement cells with conspicuous microridges. These folds in the membrane are not denoted in the epithelium of the respiratory lamellae. Apical crypts of chloride cells are present on the afferent and interlamellar filament surfaces, but are absent elsewhere on the gill arch. The highest density of mucous cells is observed into the gill filament and the pharyngeal region which indicates the existence of a protective strategy of the respiratory lamellae and the pharynx. The epithelium of the gill arches and the rakers is studded with spines. There are taste buds along the whole pharyngeal region that may be associated with their participation in tasting at this zone.     

Gross structure of the respiratory organs and dimensions of the gill in the mud–skipper, Periophthalmodon schlosseri (Bleeker)

In Periopkrlialnwdon scldosseri the respiratory organs consist of the gills, the suprabranchial and opercular chambers. The gills are more suited for aerial than aquatic respiration as is shown by the presence of the vascular papillae, blood sinusesand dilated blood vessels in their lamellae. The gill lamellae possess a surface coat of sulphated mucopolysaccharides that prevents water loss during exposure to the air. The filaments of the outer hemibranchs in the first gill arch are reduced to nearly one quarter of those of its posterior hemibranch. The gill area in relation to body weight shows a high slope value ( b =0·93).     

孕育对褶纹冠蚌滤食率的影响及鳃微结构变化

对比了褶纹冠蚌(Cristaria plicata)孕育蚌、未孕雌蚌和雄蚌的滤食率,并运用组织学、扫描电镜和透射电镜对实验蚌的鳃结构进行比较观察,以此探讨鳃结构变化对滤食功能的影响。滤食实验结果表明:孕育事件显著降低了雌蚌的滤食率,而未孕雌蚌与雄蚌的滤食率无显著差异。孕育雌蚌内外鳃均由两鳃小瓣愈合而成,每一鳃小瓣由成排的鳃丝组成,在中介区鳃丝之间通过丝间隔连接,在内部侧区则通过瓣间隔相连。雌蚌内鳃的鳃间隔为外鳃的2～3倍,而雄蚌的内外鳃无差异。孕育雌蚌外鳃在初级水管、瓣间隔等出现明显的变化,并出现了二级水管结构,而内鳃未发现显著变化。扫描电镜显示:在褶纹冠蚌鳃丝表面存在3种类型的纤毛(前纤毛、前侧纤毛和侧纤毛),其形态结构和分布各具特点,长径58～85μm椭圆形的鳃小孔成排相间分布于鳃丝之间,而3组实验蚌的内外鳃丝之间无明显差异。透射电镜观察发现:孕育雌蚌鳃丝表皮细胞表面形成突起,显著增加了表面微绒毛的数量,可能有利于雌蚌在孕育期间由于初级水管转化成育儿囊后对呼吸、滤食等功能的补偿,与其他蚌科物种报道类似。综合实验表明,孕育雌蚌外鳃结构的变化,尤其是初级水管的结构改变和二级水管、鳃丝表面褶皱的出现可能是影响孕育雌蚌滤食功能的主要原因。     

The mucous coat on gill lamellae of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

The existence of a layer of mucus covering the gill lamellae of healthy rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) was investigated. Using cryo-scanning electron microscopy, a smooth, undulating, thin layer was observed which completely covered gill filaments and lamellae, thereby obscuring epithelial microridges. After processing cryopreserved gill arches in glutaraldehyde for conventional scanning electron microscopy, the layer was no longer present and epithelial microridges were clearly visible. The identity of this layer was investigated using cryopreserved gills which were treated in one of two ways. First, gills were incubated with a rabbit antiserum to gill mucus, with normal rabbit serum, or with phosphate-buffered saline. Following fixation in glutaraldehyde and processing, only the gill tissue incubated with the mucus-specific antiserum was still covered with the smooth layer. The layer was also retained on the gills of fish anesthetized in a solution containing mucusspecific antiserum and then processes in glutaraldehyde for conventional scanning electron microscopy. The tenacious nature of the mucous layer was demonstrated by its stability following exposure to formalin and a cationic detergent. Second, the presence of this layer was confirmed on gill tissue which was cryopreserved, followed by freeze-substitution and vapor fixation, and then examined by transmission electron microscopy.     

The mucous coat on gill lamellae of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

The existence of a layer of mucus covering the gill lamellae of healthy rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) was investigated. Using cryo-scanning electron microscopy, a smooth, undulating, thin layer was observed which completely covered gill filaments and lamellae, thereby obscuring epithelial microridges. After processing cryopreserved gill arches in glutaraldehyde for conventional scanning electron microscopy, the layer was no longer present and epithelial microridges were clearly visible. The identity of this layer was investigated using cryopreserved gills which were treated in one of two ways. First, gills were incubated with a rabbit antiserum to gill mucus, with normal rabbit serum, or with phosphate-buffered saline. Following fixation in glutaraldehyde and processing, only the gill tissue incubated with the mucus-specific antiserum was still covered with the smooth layer. The layer was also retained on the gills of fish anesthetized in a solution containing mucusspecific antiserum and then processes in glutaraldehyde for conventional scanning electron microscopy. The tenacious nature of the mucous layer was demonstrated by its stability following exposure to formalin and a cationic detergent. Second, the presence of this layer was confirmed on gill tissue which was cryopreserved, followed by freeze-substitution and vapor fixation, and then examined by transmission electron microscopy.     

Structures and immunolocalization of Na+, K+ -ATPase, Na+ /H+ exchanger 3 and vacuolar-type H+ -ATPase in the gills of blennies (Teleostei: Blenniidae) inhabiting rocky intertidal areas

The structure and immunolocalization of the ion transporters Na(+) ,K(+) -ATPase (NKA), Na(+) /H(+) exchanger (NHE3) and vacuolar-type H(+) -ATPase (VHA) were examined in the gills of teleosts of the family Blenniidae, which inhabit rocky shores with vertical zonation in subtropical seas. These features were compared among the following species with different ecologies: the amphibious rockskipper blenny Andamia tetradactylus, the intertidal white-finned blenny Praealticus tanegasimae and the purely marine yaeyama blenny Ecsenius yaeyamaensis. Light and electron microscopic observations indicated that thick gill filaments were arranged close to each other and alternately on two hemibranches of a gill arch in the opercular space of A. tetradactylus. Many mucous cells (MC) and mitochondrion-rich cells (MRC) were present in the interlamellar regions of the gill filament. An immunohistochemical study demonstrated that numerous NKA, NHE3 and some VHA were located predominantly on presumed MRCs of gill filaments and at the base of the lamellae. Analyses using serial (mirror image) sections of the gills indicated that only a few NKA immunoreactive cells (IRC) were colocalized with VHA on some MRCs in the filaments. In the gills of P. tanegasimae, NKA- and NHE3-IRCs were observed in the interlamellar region of the filaments and at the base of the lamellae. VHA-IRCs were located sparsely on the lamellae and filaments. In the gills of E. yaeyamaensis, the lamellae and filaments were thin and straight, respectively. MCs were located at the tip as well as found scattered in the interlamellar region of gill filaments. NKA-, NHE3- and VHA-IRCs were moderately frequently observed in the filaments and rarely on the lamellae. This study shows that the structure and distribution of ion transporters in the gills differ among the three blennid species, presumably reflecting their different ecologies.     

Structure of sperm,spermatozeugmata and ‘lateral organs’ in the bivalve Arthritica (Galeommatoidea: Leptonidae)

The position and structure of paired ‘lateral organs’ in the foot of Arthritica semen and Arthritica bifurca might indicate a chemosensory function. In both species part of the organ is also glandular. In A. semen the glandular epithelium is detached piecemeal and, probably by means of the foot, is moved to and grafted upon the gills of the same individual. The transferred epithelia appear as disk‐shaped actively secretory ‘gill bodies’ which, attached to the abfrontal side of the inner demibranch, replace the ordinary unciliated gill epithelium. The secretion is liberated into the suprabranchial chamber, which serves as a marsupium, but its function is uncertain. Arthritica semen is a protandric hermaphrodite and produces very large ova that undergo a direct development that results in a non‐planktonic lecithotrophic crawling juvenile stage. The sperm cells have filiform nuclei that are straight in the euspermatozoa and more or less helicoidal in what is considered to represent paraspermatozoa. By a process of aggregation, spermatozeugmata are formed which consist exclusively either of euspermatozoa or paraspermatozoa. Spermatozoa are stored in the oviduct in A. semen but in paired seminal receptacles in A. bifurca.     

Particle transport in the zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha (Pallas)

The capture, transport, and sorting of particles by the gills and labial palps of the freshwater mussel Dreissena polymorpha were examined by endoscopy and video image analysis. More specifically, the morphology of the feeding organs in living zebra mussels was described; the mode and speeds of particle transport on the feeding organs was measured; and the sites of particle selection in the pallial cavity were identified. Particle velocities (outer demibranch lamellae, 90 microm s(-1); inner demibranch lamellae, 129 microm s(-1); marginal food groove of inner demibranchs, 156 microm s(-1); dorsal ciliated tracts, 152 microm s(-1)), as well as the movement of particles on the ctenidia and labial palps of D. polymorpha, are consistent with mucociliary, rather than hydrodynamic, transport. Particles can be sorted on the ctenidia of zebra mussels, resulting in a two-layer transport at the marginal food groove of the inner demibranch. That is: preferred particles are transported inside the marginal groove proper, whereas particles destined for rejection are carried superficially in a string of mucus. Sorting also occurs at the ventral margin of the outer demibranch; desirable particles are retained on the outer demibranch, whereas unacceptable particles are transferred to the inner demibranch and ultimately excluded from ingestion. We suggest that the structure of homorhabdic ctenidia does not preclude particle sorting, and that some ecosystem modifications attributed to zebra mussels may ultimately be due to ctenidial sorting mechanisms.     

Black spot gill syndrome of the northern shrimp Pandalus borealis

Northern shrimp, Pandalus borealis, taken in the Gulf of Maine show tissue destruction of gill lamellae. Vacuolated chitin growth over damaged tissue produces macroscopic black spots on the gills. First noticed in 1966, semiquantitative records were kept for four consecutive years. Incidence of infestation for this period is described.     

New species of myxosporidians in the genus Myxobolus (Myxosporidia, Myxobolidae) from cyprinid fishes of the Amur River

Five new species are described as follows: M. haematopterus from gills, fins and skin of Cyprinus carpio haematopterus; M. gibelio from connective tissue of gill filaments, fin rays and kidneys of Carassius auratus gibelio; Myxobolus waleckii from gills of Leuciscus waleckii; Myxobolus junchisi from gills, muscles, kidneys and spleen of Cyprinus carpio haematopterus; M. alacaudatus of Cyprinus and Carassius Myxobolus divergens carassii from gills, muscles, fins, and cartilaginous tissue of operculim of Carassius auratus gibelio and Cyprinus carpio haematopterus.     

Ultrastructure and development of the gills in<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Rana dalmatina</Emphasis> (Amphibia,Anura)

The appearance and the modification of the gill apparatus in Rana dalmatina tadpoles have been described in the different phases of larval development. The morphology and ultrastructure have been studied using light microscopy and both scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The organization of the gills during the initial phases of development (external gills or transient gills) brings to mind the characteristics of Urodela larvae in which the gills appear to consist of three tufts of filaments supported by the gill arches III, IV and V. The cellular composition of the transient gills appears to be extremely simple and the presence of specialized cells is not noted. Basal cells, pavement cells and ciliated cells form the thin mono- or bilayered epithelium. In the persistent gills (or internal gills) of the R. dalmatina tadpole (Ortons larval type 4) the gill arches carry four rows of gill tufts branching out to the ventral region. Meanwhile, from the dorsal portion of the arch the gill filters present an axial portion from which there is much branching out, which confers a characteristic appearance on this part of the gills. The cellular composition of the gill tufts and of the filters is different: in the gill tufts basal cells, pavement cells, ciliated cells, cubic cells and mitochondria-rich cells (MRCs) have been recognized, while in the gill filters the last cellular type does not appear. The MRC has highly variable forms and dimensions and is characterized by the presence of numerous mitochondria in the cytoplasm. Often the MRCs manifest themselves grouped together, in groups of three or more. The pavement cells and the cubic cells demonstrate identical ultrastructural characteristics and have an external surface area characterized by the presence of short superficial microridges and numerous vacuoles in the apical cytoplasm.     

Exceptional preservation of a novel gill grade in large Cretaceous inoceramids: systematic and palaeobiological implications

Organised mineralised structures observed in large inoceramids (valves on a metre scale) from the Late Albian, Toolebuc Formation, Australia (Inoceramus sutherlandi McCoy, 1865), and the Santonian, Niobrara Formation, USA (Platyceramus sp.), were investigated using variable pressure scanning electron microscope (SEM) with energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX), X‐ray microcomputed tomography (micro‐CT) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. These indicate that the structures comprised a phosphate framework of aligned tubes and shallow troughs overlain perpendicularly by evenly spaced structures. In the Toolebuc Inoceramus, these are U‐shaped cross‐structures, whilst in the Niobrara Platyceramus, they comprise bundled fibre elements. Comparison with modern bivalves indicates that the observed phosphatised structures represent soft‐tissue preservation of the gills, as suggested in earlier publications. The tubes and troughs are remnants of a filamental support framework comprising ordinary and primary filaments, whilst the U‐shaped cross‐structures (I. sutherlandi) and fibrous bands (Platyceramus) represent preserved longitudinal gill musculature. Internal perforate and strand‐like fabric observed on the internal surface of some Platyceramus tubular structures suggests that the framework comprised collagen. The presence of primary and ordinary filaments in numerous unusually large plicae, in at least two lamellae, indicates that the gill structures were heterorhabdic. Each plica has at least 40 ordinary filaments, an exceptional number when compared with the maximum of 20 present in modern heterorhabdic gills. The absence of incontrovertible interfilament junctions makes it difficult to say whether inoceramids were filibranch, pseudolamellibranch or eulamellibranch. However, structures that are best attributed to intraplical junctions between filaments suggest the Inoceramidae had gills akin to those of pseudolamellibranch bivalves, although their unusually large number of filaments per plica is more reminiscent of homorhabdic eulamellibranch gills. The general form of the gill is similar to that described in some other pteriomorphs, most specifically Pteria. However, it has more complex junctions and interconnections, although these are not as intricate or pervasive as those observed in the pseudolamellibranch Ostreidae. The connections and well‐developed filament framework allowed the gill to reach its unusually large size, supporting the large size of these inoceramid species. The unusually large size of the gill and its components indicate that the organism fed on the larger suspended organic particles in the water column. It would also have been capable of processing large volumes of water quickly, leading to greater potential for food accumulation and with likely implications for respiratory efficiency. This may help explain the common association of inoceramids with oxygen‐deficient palaeoenvironments, particularly as the general structure of the inoceramid gill is very different to that observed in the commonest extant chemosymbiotic bivalves.     

版纳鱼螈胚胎和幼体鳃的退化观察

为了解版纳鱼螈(Ichthyophis bannanicus)胚胎和幼体鳃的退化特征,同窝卵中8枚在胚胎成熟阶段早期被随机取出剖产,随后余下的9枚卵在胚胎成熟阶段晚期时孵出或剖产,观察幼体或胚胎鳃的变化。成熟阶段早期的胚胎,初时其鳃色鲜红,鳃枝充盈,鳃丝与鳃轴近乎垂直;随后鳃色发白,鳃枝疲软,鳃丝卷曲,鳃丝与鳃轴夹角变小。成熟阶段晚期的胚胎和刚孵出的幼体,初时其鳃色纯白,鳃枝疲软,鳃丝卷曲,鳃丝与鳃轴夹角较小;随后鳃逐渐脱落。观察发现,版纳鱼螈胚胎或幼体鳃的退化模式不是重吸收,也不是重吸收加脱落,而仅为脱落。鳃退化过程经历外鳃供血减少-供血停止-鳃枝组织死亡和脱落3个阶段,每个阶段都有明显的外部形态特征。胚胎进入成熟阶段后,越早孵化,鳃枝留存越多,反之,鳃枝留存越少。发白后的鳃枝随机性脱落。     

Gross structure and dimensions of the gills in a hill-stream sisorid catfish,Glyptothorax pectinopterus

Gross structure and dimensions of the gills have been examined in a hill-stream sisorid catfish,Glyptothorax pectinopterus, which remains adhered to rocks by means of an adhesive organ developed on the ventral side of the thorax. The fish shows a greater weight-specific gill area and greater length of the gill filaments by comparison with other hill-stream fishes. Adaptation for life in a hill-stream habitat is shown by the presence of additional filaments on the gills and patches of specialised cells on the filament epithelium.