Respiratory development in Arctic char Salvelinus alpinus under conditions of normoxia and chronic hypoxia
Changes in surface morphology of the gills, ventilation rate, and heart rate were examined in Arctic char larvae exposed to normoxia (pO 2 = 121 ± 6 (SE) mmHg) or chronic hypoxia (pO 2 = 33 ± 3.5 mmHg) for 47 days after hatching. A modified weighted-averages technique was developed to measure aspect...
| Published in: | Canadian Journal of Zoology |
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| Main Authors: | , |
| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Canadian Science Publishing
1977
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z77-189 http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z77-189 |
| Summary: | Changes in surface morphology of the gills, ventilation rate, and heart rate were examined in Arctic char larvae exposed to normoxia (pO 2 = 121 ± 6 (SE) mmHg) or chronic hypoxia (pO 2 = 33 ± 3.5 mmHg) for 47 days after hatching. A modified weighted-averages technique was developed to measure aspects of gill morphology.Early development of the gills was characterized by rapid increases in filament size and number, and the emergence and proliferation of secondary lamellae. Variations in the dimensions of the gills, as noted in adult fish, were particularly evident in the larval fish.Hypoxia caused increases in both ventilation rate and heart rate. Prolonged exposure led to a retardation of gill growth, particularly the proliferation of secondary lamellae. However, growth of individual lamellae was stimulated between 38 and 47 days. |
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