Ultrastructure (SEM) of the gills of Prochilodus Scrofa Steindachner (Pisces, Teleostei)

Ultrastructure (SEM) of the gills of Prochilodus Scrofa Steindachner (Pisces, Teleostei)

Daura Regina Eiras-Stofella^I; Patricia Charvet-Almeida^II

^ICentro de Microscopia Eletrônica, Universidade Federal do Paraná. Caixa Postal 19031, 81530-900 Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil

^IICaixa Postal 2632,80001-970 Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil

ABSTRACT

Gills arches of the freshwater fish Prochilodus scrofa Steindachner, 1881 (Lt= 8.0-12.4cm) were removed to be analyzed in a scanning electron microscope. The morphology of the superficial structures of the gill filaments and pharyngeal region of the gills arches was discussed and related to their functional aspects. A great quantity of mucous secretory cells and of microridges, along with the pavement cell surface of the primary lamellae and branchial pharyngeal region, indicate the existence of a protection strategy of the respiratory lamellae. The chloride cells are abundant, specially on the distal portion of the primary lamellae, and bring out the osmo regulatory capacity of this species. This fish seems not to be a filtering one according to: its short and simple gill rakers; presence of several taste buds turned towards the mouth opening; evidence of spines on the external side of the arches and an abundant secretion of mucous in the pharyngeal region. This species probably selects the food to be swallowed through its chemical receptors and retains it with the help of spines and mucous secretion this way protecting the gills filaments against the rubbing of particles over them.

Key words: Gill morphology; scanning; freshwater fish; Prochilodus scrofa

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. To Vera Regina Fontana Pionteke for her help with the photographic work in this paper and to the National Research Council of Brazil (CNPq) for the partial financial support.

Recebido em 28.II.1997; aceito em 17.IV.1998.

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Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  10 July 2009
• Date of issue
  1998

History

• Accepted
  17 Apr 1998
• Received
  28 Feb 1997