Ontogenetic changes in haemoglobins in roach, Rutilus rutilus (L.) and rudd, Scardinius erythrophthalmus (L.)

The haemoglobins and globins of the roach, Rutilus rutilus (L.) and the rudd, Scardinius erythrophthalmus (L.) have been studied by starch gel electrophoresis. At all stages of development studied, the roach and rudd haemoglobins give a similar electrophoretic pattern, the young fish of about 2 cm standard length possessing three separate haemoglobins, of which two bands only persist in the adult. The evolutionary significance of multiple haemoglobins in fishes is briefly discussed.