A Comparative Study of Gill Ventilation in Marine Teleosts

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Abstract
1. Movements of the lower jaw and operculum have been recorded simultaneously with the associated pressure changes in the buccal and opercular cavities during breathing of the following species: Trachurus trachurus (L.), Clupea harengus L., Gadus merlangus L., Onos mustela (L.), Crenilabrus melops (L.), Cottus bubalis Euphrasén, Blennius ocellaris L., Trigla gurnardus L., Callionymus lyra L., Pleuronectes platessa L., Microstoinus kitt (Walbaum), Conger conger (L.), Syngnathus acus L. 2. In all species ventilation of the gills is achieved by the action of a buccal pressure pump and of opercular suction pumps. 3. The time course of the pressure changes indicates differences in the relative importance of the two pumps which are related to the habitat of the fish. The suction pump becomes of greatest importance in fishes which spend most of their lives on the sea bottom. 4. In several species the differential pressure curve does not include the brief period of reversal in pressure gradient found in most fishes so far investigated. Notable among these species are the two flatfishes investigated and in which there is some evidence for an active opercular valve. 5. In general, the results confirm the validity of Baglioni's classification of the respiratory mechanisms of teleost fishes.

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