Ultrastructural Observation of the Skin Chloride Celis of Japanese Flounder Paralichthys olivaceus and Turbot Scophthamus maximus Larvae

The ultrastructures of skin chloride celis in cultured Japanese flounder and turbot larvae in metamorphosis, which grow in the same feeding conditions, are examined with a transmission electron microscope. These developed skin chloride celis were shaped like flattened ellipsoids and similar in morphology and ultrastructure to typical chloride celis of euryhaline fish gill. They lo-cate in the epidermis and contract with the extra and interior environment through the apical pit and narrow channels. The cytoplasm of cell is full of numerous mitochondria and a ramifying net-work of tubules. The degeneration of skin chloride celis is observed with development of Japanese flounder larvae. Skin chloride celis of turbot are less developmental than those of Japanese flounder in the same developmental stage.

The ultrastructures of skin chloride cells in cultured Japanese flounder and turbot larvae in metamorphosis, which grow in the same feeding conditions, are examined with a transmission electron microscope. These developed skin chloride cells were shaped like flattened ellipsoids and similar in morphology and ultrastructure to typical chloride cells of euryhaline fish gill. They locate in the epidermis and contract with the extra and interior environment through the apical pit and narrow channels. The cytoplasm of cell is full of numerous mitochondria and a ramifying network of tubules. The degeneration of skin chloride cells is observed with development of Japanese flounder larvae. Skin chloride cells of turbot are less developmental than those of Japanese flounder in the same developmental stage.