Summary
The fine structure of epidermal mucous cells of two species of salmonid fish has been described. Mucous cells are, next to filament-containing cells, the most commonly encountered cells in fish epidermis. The development of the cells as they progress to the periphery has been characterised. They are initially difficult to distinguish from filament-containing cells: later, they can be recognised by the presence of much smooth-surfaced E.R. The mucigenesis and the subsequent secretion of mucus has been observed and it is essentially comparable to that which occurs in the mucous cells of the mammalian intestine. The mucous layer of the epidermal surface seems to mainly comprise of the products of these mucous cells and the “cuticle” seen in other species has not yet been observed in the salmonid species investigated here.
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We would like to thank Mrs. A. Watson and Mr. K. Oates for invaluable assistance with the microscopy, the Lancashire River Authority for the provision of fish and the National Environment Research Council for research funds (Grant No. GR/3/1152).
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Harris, J.E., Hunt, S. The fine structure of the epidermis of two species of salmonid fish, the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) and the brown trout (Salmo trutta L.). Cell Tissue Res. 163, 535–543 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00218498
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00218498