Histological study of different regions of the skin and gills in the mudskipper,Boleophthalmus boddartiwith respect to their respiratory function

Abstract

Gills are the typical respiratory organ of fish in their usual habitat of well-aerated water. The transition from water- to air-breathing required many modifications to the structural and physiological adaptations of the gas-exchange surfaces, i.e. gill, skin, swimbladder and other accessory organs of the alimentary canal. The skin is particularly important among air-breathing fish. This histological study showed varying degrees of adaptation of parts of the skin from different body regions, paying particular attention to the water/blood barrier. The results suggest a general importance in gas exchange in the following order: gill, inner operculum, nasal, body and outer opercular skin, as indicated by increasing thickness of the water/blood barrier.