Buoyancy and aerial respiration: factors influencing the evolution of reduced swim-bladder volume of some Central American catfishes (Trichomycteridae, Callichthyidae, Loricariidae, Astroblepidae)

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Abstract
Swim-bladder volume of nine species of Central American catfishes from four families was measured and found to be very small. In seven species it supported less than 5% of the body weight in water. Seven of the nine species were found to breathe air and the volume of gas in the accessory respiratory organ varied between species, supporting from less than 5% to more than 80% of the body weight in water. In only one of these species was there gas in the accessory respiratory organ in both normoxic and hypoxic water and only in this species did the organ have a definite hydrostatic function. The remaining air-breathing species used aerial respiration only in hypoxic water and there were differences between species in frequency of gulping for air and in partial pressure of oxygen in the water at which gulping was initiated. The evolution of a reduced swim-bladder volume appears to have been in response to a demersal mode of life.

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