Development and ultrastructure of larval skin in Scophthamus maximus

The histological development and ultrastructure of larval turbot skin were studied by both light and transmission electron microscopes.The early larvae showed a complete bisymmetry of skin.The skin of 1-25days old larvae developed slowly and was composed of the thin epidermis of 1-2layers epidermal cells and undeveloped dermis before the metamorphosis.But the skin developed significantly when the.metamorphosis began.Till the completion of metamorphosis(about 60days old),the skin contained 3-4layers epidermal cells and very developed collagenous strata.Wisth the process of metamorphosis,the ocular side skin and blind side skin became different in ultrastructure.Ultrastructural observation showed the epidermis of turbot contained three types of epidermal cells;filament-containing cells,mucus cells and chloride cells.The ocular side epidermis with looser structure consisted one type of filament-containing cells,but the blind side epidermis was structured densely and two types of filament-containing cells were observed in it.Melanophores,iridophores,fibroblasts and other cell types and tisssues were found in the spongiosum of dermis.The distribution of melanophores depended on the larval developing stage and the pigmentation of skin.The differentiation of skin seems to be an adaptation for the change of life style of turbot larvae from pelagic living to benthonic living after the metamorphosis.