Skip to main content
Log in

The fine structure of the epidermis of two species of salmonid fish, the atlantic salmon (Salmo solar L.) and the brown trout (Salmo trutta L.)

I. General organization and filament-containing cells

  • Published:
Cell and Tissue Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The fine structure of the epidermis of two species of salmonid fish has been described. Gross characteristics have been noted along with many apparent differences in the epidermis of different body regions of the fish. The major cell type is the filamentcontaining cell and this has been described in detail. The major inclusions of the cell are the tonofilaments. Differences in basal, mid-epidermal and peripheral filament-containing cells have been characterised. Comparisons of fish epidermis with that of other vertebrates has been made.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Albright, J. T., Skobe, Z.: Comparative ultrastructure of oral epithelium in fish and amphibia. Arch. oral. Biol. 10, 921–927 (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  • Brody, I.: The ultrastructure of the tonofibrils in the keratinization process of normal human epidermis. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 4, 264–279 (1960)

    Google Scholar 

  • Brody, I.: Different staining methods for the electron-microscopic elucidation of the tonofibrillar differentiation in normal epidermis. In: The epidermis (ed. W. Montagna, W. C., Lobitz), p. 251. New York: Academic Press 1964

    Google Scholar 

  • Burgess, G. H. O.: Absence of keratin in teleost epidermis. Nature (Lond.) 178, 93–94 (1956)

    Google Scholar 

  • Charles, A., Smiddy, M. B.: The tonofibrils of the human epidermis. J. invest. Derm. 29, 327–341 (1957)

    Google Scholar 

  • Giroud, A., Leblond, C. P.: The keratinization of epidermis and its derivatives. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 53, 613–627 (1951)

    Google Scholar 

  • Harris, J. E., Hunt, S.: The fine structure of iridophores in the skin of the Atlantic salmon (Salmo solar L.). Tissue and Cell 5, 479–488 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Henrickson, R. C.: Incorporation of tritiated thymidine by teleost epidermis cells. Experientia (Basel) 23, 357–358 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Henrickson, R. C., Matolsty, A. G.: The fine structure of teleost epidermis. I. Introduction and filament-containing cells. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 21, 194–212 (1968a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Henrickson, R. C., Matolsty, A. G.: The fine structure of teleost epidermis. II. Mucous cells. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 21, 213–221 (1968b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Henrickson, R. C., Matolsty, A. G.: The fine structure of teleost epidermis. III. Club cells and other cell types. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 21, 222–232 (1968c)

    Google Scholar 

  • Horstmann, E.: Die Haut. In: Handbuch d. mikrosk. Anat. des Menschen (W. Bargmann, ed.), III/3. Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: Springer 1957

    Google Scholar 

  • Kawaguti, S.: Electron microscopy on the cornification of the epidermis of the fish scale with special reference to the mucous cell. Biol. J. Okayama Univ. 12, 47–57 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kelly, D. E.: Fine structure of desmosomes, hemidesmosomes, and an adepidermal globular layer in developing newt epidermis. J. Cell Biol. 28, 51–72 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mawdesley-Thomas, L. E.: Ed. Diseases of Fish. London: Academic Press 1972

    Google Scholar 

  • Montagna, W.: The structure and function of skin. New York: Academic Press 1961

    Google Scholar 

  • Mullinger, A. M.: The fine structure of ampullary electric receptors in Amiurus. Proc. roy. Soc. B 160, 345–359 (1964)

    Google Scholar 

  • Odland, G. F., Reed, T. H.: Epidermis. In: Ultrastructure of normal and abnormal skin (ed. A. S. Zelickson), p. 54. Philadelphia: Lea and Febiger 1967

    Google Scholar 

  • Porter, K. R.: Observations on the fine structure of animal epidermis. Proc. 3rd Intern. Conf. Electron Microscopy London, 539–547 (1956)

    Google Scholar 

  • Rhodin, J. A. G., Reith, E. J.: Ultrastructure of keratin in oral mucosa, skin, esophagus, claw and hair. In: Fundamentals of keratinization (ed. E. O. Butcher and R. F. Soggnaes), p. 61. Washington, D.C.: AAAS 1962

    Google Scholar 

  • Roberts, R. J., Shearer, W. M., Elson, K. G. R., Munro, A. L. S.: Studies on ulcerative dermal necrosis of salmonids. 1. The skin of the normal salmon head. J. Fish Biol. 2, 223–229 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Roberts, R. J., Young, H., Milne, J. A.: Studies on the skin of plaice (Pleuronectes platessa L.). 1. The structure and ultrastructure of normal plaice skin. J. Fish Biol. 4, 87–98 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Tsujii, T.: Studies on the mechanism of shell and pearl formation. XI. The submicroscopical observations on the mechanism and formation of abnormal pearls and abnormal shell. J. Fac. Fish., Pref. Univ. of Mie. 6, 59–66 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Oosten, J.: Skin and scales. In: The physiology of fishes (ed. M. E. Brown), p. 207. New York: Academic Press 1957

    Google Scholar 

  • Weiss, P., Ferris, W.: Electronmicrograms of larval amphibian epidermis. Exp. Cell Res. 6, 546–560 (1954)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wellings, S. R., Chuinard, R. G., Cooper, R. A.: Ultrastructural studies of normal skin and epidermal papillomas of the flathead sole, Hippoglossoides elassodon. Z. Zellforsch. 78, 370–387 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Whitear, M.: The skin surface of bony fishes. J. Zool. (Lond.) 160, 437–454 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, J. A. F., Westerman, R. A.: The fine structure of the olfactory mucosa and nerve in the teleost Carassius carassius L. Z. Zellforsch. 83, 196–206 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zelickson, A. S.: Ultrastructure of normal and abnormal skin. Philadelphia: Lea and Febiger 1967

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

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 Natural Environment Research Council for research funds (Grant No.: GR/3/1152).

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Harris, J.E., Hunt, S. The fine structure of the epidermis of two species of salmonid fish, the atlantic salmon (Salmo solar L.) and the brown trout (Salmo trutta L.). Cell Tissue Res. 157, 553–565 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00222607

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00222607

Key words

Navigation