Ultrastructure of the presumed ion-transporting cells in the gills of ammocoete lampreys,Lampetra fluviatilis (L.) and Lampetra planeri (Bloch)

Summary Mitochondria-rich cells were located in the interplatelet area of gill filaments from ammocoete Lampetra fluviatilis and L. planeri. The ultrastructure of this cell type differs from typical teleost chloride cells by the absence of a tubular, smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER). This difference is discussed in relation to the presumed functions of the cell and to the evolutionary histories of lampreys and teleosts. It is concluded that the mitochondria-rich cell is responsible for the active uptake of ions by the ammocoete gill.