Branchial morphology and ion-water transport proteins in Antarctic teleosts with different modes of life

• Published in: Polar Biology
• Main Authors: MASINI, MARIA ANGELA, RICCI F, PRATO P, UVA B. M.
• Other Authors: Masini, MARIA ANGELA, Ricci, F, Prato, P, Uva, B. M.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2007
• Subjects: Antarctic; The Antarctic; Antarctic Ocean; Antarc*; Sea ice
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11579/90661; https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-007-0329-4

In the Antarctic Ocean salt concentration diVers from the bottom to the surface owing to the seasonal form- ing and melting of sea ice. Antarctic teleosts present diVer- ent lifestyle from benthic to pelagic. While benthic animals face a constant seawater salinity, benthic–pelagic animals have to face diVerent salt concentration. Branchial mor- phology and ion–water transport proteins were compared in animals with diVerent lifestyle. The ultrastructure of the gills was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Na+/K+/A TPase, Na+/K+/Cl¡ cotransport protein NKCC1 and Aquaporin 3 (AQP3), were investigated by immunohistochemistry. The immunoreactivity for the ion transporter proteins were more intense in the active ben- thic–pelagic animals and in the iceWshes than in the slug- gish benthic ones. Conversely, AQP immunoreactivity was stronger in the animals with sedentary lifestyles. The SEM showed the secondary lamellae in the benthic–pelagic ani- mals more densely packed with the exception of the haemo- globin free teleosts.