A comparative study of the branchial epithelium in fishes, with special reference to extrarenal excretion

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Abstract
A study of the brinchial epithelium in representative specimens of Cyclostomata Elasmobranchii and Teleostei fishes has been made, with special reference to the following: 1) the importance of physiological role of osmotic regulation effected by the gills; 2) the presence or absence of specialized secretory tissue; 3) progressive evolution of the fishes and the possible phylogenetic difference between them. In regard to these topics we find: 1) There is no indication of any specialization in the branchial epithelium of fishes indicating a special role in extrarenal excretion. 2) In the respiratory epithelium of fishes widely separated phylogenetically or in fishes in living in fresh or salt water, the only significant differences are that in general the teleosts have a squamous type of epithelium, whereas, the elasmobranchs have in general a thicker polyhedral investment. 3) Mucous cells appear large and numerous on the filament proper, smaller and less numerous in the interlamellar spaces, and on the free surface of the lamellae. These are the only specialized secretory cells which occur in the gills.