Morphological studies on the gills of the European hake (Merluccius merluccius, Linnaeus, 1758)

Abstract

The current work gives concern to study the morphology of the Merluccius merluccius gills by using gross morphology, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and light microscopy. The findings of the present study revealed that the gill system consisted of four pairs of gill arches which carry the gill filaments on the convex border and gill rakers on the concave border of them. SEM results revealed that the rakers and the spines distribution on the first gill arch differed from that of the other three gill arches on the lateral and medial surfaces. On the surface the gill filaments, there were longitudinal ridges that carried pores of chloride cells and mucous cells. The histological examination revealed that, the gill arch composed of hyaline cartilage that presented in the form of cups. Each cup consisted of central cartilagenous core and peripheral cartilagenous matrix. The gill filaments composed of cartilaginous bar of peripheral cartilaginous matrix and central cartilaginous core extended from the gill arches and covered by an epithelial layers with a few mucous cells permeate it, and chloride cells were straggly in the interlamellar epithelium. Each gill filament carried several leaves like secondary lamellae on both sides of it. The epithelium, which lined the secondary lamellae, composed of epithelial pavement cells, some mucous cells, and pillar cells. K E Y W O R D S gills, light microscopy, Merluccius merluccius, morphology, scanning electron microscopy

Morphological investigation of the gills of the dusky grouper Epinephelus marginatus (Lowe 1834) using gross anatomy and scanning electron microscopy

“…The current study observed that the dusky grouper had four gills on each side, similar to most teleost fishes arranged into first, second, third, and fourth gills from lateral to medial (Alsafy, 2013; Bassuoni, 2021; Hanafy, 2020).…”

“…The gill morphology attracted the researchers, where several studies are describing the gill morphology of many species of fish were done (Abumandour & El‐Bakary, 2017; Alsafy, 2013; Bassuoni, 2021; Díaz et al, 2009; Hanafy, 2020; Hughes & Morgan, 1973; Karlsson, 1983). The organization of gill filaments rakers have a significant relation to the feeding habits of the fish (Fernandes, 1996).…”

“…The epithelial cells covering the gill arches, gill rakers, and gill filaments have shown variable characteristic surface features in the previously studied fish species. Like, the presence of the microridges that form specific patterns, and also the presence of the mosaic of pavement cells, varied sized pores of the mucous and chloride cells and many different pointed spines, and types of taste buds (Alsafy, 2013; Bassuoni, 2021; Eiras‐Stofella et al, 2001; Elsheikh, 2013; Hanafy, 2020; Kumari et al, 2012).…”

A focus on the gross morphological and ultrastructural characteristics of the oesophagus and stomach of Eurasian common moorhen (Gallinula chloropus chloropus, Linnaeus 1758)

“…In the present study, the luminal surface of the oesophagus was characterized by presence of straight longitudinal folds and depressions between them; both carried micropapillae and differed in its depth and width between the cervical and thoracic parts. While Hanafy (2020) observed presence of straight longitudinal folds carried transverse folds at the whole length of the oesophagus, but these longitudinal folds were tortuous at the level of the thoracic inlet. These folds are functioning for the expansion of the oesophagus for the passage of the food particles.…”

“…The specimens were dehydrated through graded concentrations of ethanol and critical point dried. They attached to aluminum stubs with its internal surface facing upward, covered with carbon tabs, and then were sputtered with gold and examined with scanning electron microscope (JOEL JSM 5300; Hanafy, 2020; Hanafy, Abumandour, & Bassuoni, 2020) operated at 200 KV (Faculty of Science, Alexandria University).…”