Biology Faculty Proceedings, Presentations, Speeches, Lectures
Structural Variation In Gill Vasculature Among Some Batiod Elasmobranchs Examined Using Corrosion Casting And SEM
Event Name/Location
Proceedings of Microscopy and Microanalysis, Honolulu, HI / 31 July-4 August 2005,
Presentation Date
7-4-2005
Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Proceeding Title
Microscopy and Microanalysis
ISSN
1431-9276
Description
Comparison of basic functional morphological structures among related species can provide an understanding of taxonomic and ecological relationships. Classic studies of gill vasculature indicate the gross anatomy of elasmobranch gills is similar in most species, and in general, resembles those of teleosts. However, studies of fine gill structure examining arterio-arterial pathways in several species of batoid elasmobranchs (Order: Rajiiformes, Suborder: Myliobatoidei) reported some structural differences [1]. These differences include the presence, in urolophids (Urobatis jamaicensis, U. mucosus, U. paucimaculatus), of 1) a tip channel, possibly an extension of the afferent filament artery that r uns along the top of the filament corpus cavernosum, and 2) a vascular arcade, a vessel which connects the afferent filament arteries of a hemibranch near the tip of each filament (Fig. 1) [1,2]. These structures, once believe d to be unique to urolophids appear to be recent adaptations as changes in these structure can be traced through suborders from more primitive to more derived. Animals of mixed species and sexes were collected, perfused, and acrylic casts made of the circulatory system. The resulting casts were examined and photographed by SEM. In this ongoing series of studies the yellow ray (U. jamaicensis), cownose ray (Rhinoptera bonasus), southern stingray (Dasyatis americana), atlantic stingray (D. sabina), freshwater stingray (Potamotrygon motoro) (Suborder: Myliobatoidea), little skate, winter skate, thorny skate ( Raja erinacea, R. ocellata, and R. radiata) (Suborder: Rajoidea), and the deep sea electric ray (Benthobatis marcida) (Suborder: Torpedinoidea) have been examined.
In the myliobatids the tip channel and vascular arcade are distinct vascular structures (Fig. 1). However, in the rajids the vascular arcade is more sinus-like and the tip channel appears to be embedded in the body of the corpus cavernosum (Fig. 2,3,). In Benthobati, however, this structure appears to be non-existent (Fig. 4). These results indicate not only are the tip channel and vascular arcade not identical across suborders, the tip channel and vascular arcade as identifiable structures are not present in the more primitive fishes. Additional research is required to determine the phylogenetic and physiologic significance of these structures.
DOI
10.1017/S1431927605508109
Publisher
Cambridge Journals
Publisher Location
Cambridge, UK
First Page
1218
Last Page
1219
NSUWorks Citation
Sherman, Robin L.; Lametschwandtner, A.; and Spieler, Richard E., "Structural Variation In Gill Vasculature Among Some Batiod Elasmobranchs Examined Using Corrosion Casting And SEM" (2005). Biology Faculty Proceedings, Presentations, Speeches, Lectures. 148.
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/cnso_bio_facpres/148
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