TY  - THES
TY  - BOOK
T1  - The morphology and functional histology of the gills and skin as respiratory organs of giant mudskipper (Periophthalmodon schlosseri)
A1  - Amira Nur Elmy Zakaria,
LA  - English
UL  - http://discoverylib.upm.edu.my/discovery/Record/597546
AB  - Mudskippers are an example of amphibious fish that can substitute branchial respiration for cutaneous respiration when they stay out of water. They evolved this physiological specialisation to adapt to amphibious life. However, there is little information on the detailed histology of the respiratory system of this species. This study aimed to study the morphology of the gills and skin and to relate it to functional histology and physiological adaptation. Five giant mudskippers were caught using the fishing rods and euthanized prior to post-mortem. The general morphology of the mudskipper was examined grossly and recorded. Gills and skin samples were taken, processed accordingly, and stained with H&E staining. The gills histological examination showed the primary lamella was thick (x̅:220.9µm). The secondary lamella was short (x̅:57.67µm) with lacunae in the centre separated by pillar cells. For the skin samples, the epidermis comprised three layers; the outermost layer containing mucous cells and flattened stratified squamous cells, the middle layer made of swollen cells and the stratum germinativum made of cuboidal cells. The blood capillaries were dense in the epidermis layer with the highest at the upper jaw region (x̅:3.26 capillaries/0.1mm). The mucosa lining and opercular lining had a thin layer of the epidermis, with numerous blood vessels visible in the dermis layer just beneath it. In conclusion, special morphologies such as enlarged gills chamber and unique swollen cells in the skin play a vital role in cutaneous as much as branchial respiration in this fish. By identifying the histomorphology, the physiological adaptation of the mudskippers’ respiration from aquatic to terrestrial life can be understood
CN  - FPV 2022 37
ER  -