• Applied Microscopy
• /
• v.52
• /
• pp.8.1-8.7
• /
• 2022

The Korean trident goby, Tridentiger brevispinis, lives in adverse habitats that can easily become hypoxic due to low precipitation, regional dry periods, and high amounts of solar radiation. Histological and morphometric studies revealed the goby's specialized skin (35.4-150.0㎛ in thickness), consisting of an epidermis and dermis. The thicker epidermis comprises an outermost surface layer (having taste buds, stratified fattened cells, mucous cells, pigment cells, and stratified polygonal cells), middle layer (having stratified polygonal cells), and stratum germinativum (stratified columnar cells). In particular, the dermis has scales, well-developed vascularization, and a few blood capillaries just above the basement membrane, and a reduced diffusion distance was present in the lateral body. Consequently, adaptations such as thicker epidermis, well-developed vascularization, few blood capillaries, and a reduced diffusion distance may provide cutaneous respiration for survival in poorly oxygenated water during the periodic dry season.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
• /
• v.36 no.1
• /
• pp.40-47
• /
• 2024

The anatomy and histology of the olfactory organ of Monopterus albus was investigated using stereo microscopy, light microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The external structure of the olfactory organ exhibited closed anterior and posterior nostrils parallel to the skin surface. The interior structure consisted of a pipe-like chamber, and lower and upper accessory nasal sacs. The olfactory chamber was composed of the sensory and non-sensory epithelium, and an unidentified organ. The sensory epithelium of the pseudostratified epithelial layer was composed of olfactory receptor neurons, supporting cells, basal cells, and lymphatic cells; and the non-sensory epithelium of the stratified squamous layer contained stratified epithelial cells and mucous cells with acidic mucopolysaccharides. The presence of intraepithelial blood capillaries and abundant dermal vascularization in the sensory epithelium of the olfactory chamber may provide strong histological evidence that respiration occurs through the olfactory epithelium.