Blood viscosity in arctic fishes

• Published in: Journal of Experimental Zoology
• Main Authors: Graham, Mark S., Fletcher, Garth L., Haedrich, Richard L.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 1985
• Subjects: Arctic; Salvelinus alpinus
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jez.1402340118; https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1002%2Fjez.1402340118; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/jez.1402340118

Abstract The blood viscosity of arctic char, Salvelinus alpinus , and shorthorn sculpin, Myoxocephalus scorpius , from the arctic (74° 42′N) was measured with a cone‐plate viscometer. Blood viscosity of the two arctic species was considerably lower, less shear rate dependent, and less temperature dependent than the blood of winter flounder ( Pseudopleuronectes americanus ) from more temperate waters. The rheological properties of the arctic fish blood would minimize blood flow resistance and thus be advantageous at the low temperatures (0°C) characterizing their environment.