The rectal salt gland of elasmobranchs, and osmoregulation in chimaeroid fishes

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Abstract
The rectal gland of a shark (Selache maxima) and the corresponding glands of a chimaeroid fish (Chimaera manstrosa) probably excrete sodium chloride. From their structure one can conclude that the glands of the latter species have a limited secretory capacity. The plasma of Chimaera has a remarkably high concentration of sodium chloride, which may be correlated to the primitive condition of the rectal gland system. Functional and phylogenetic aspects are discussed.