EXPOSURE OF SPARIDENTEX HASTA TO SALINITY CHALLENGE: A STUDY OF GILL CHLORIDE CELLS AND PLASMA GLUCOSE LEVEL

Abstract

The effects of different water salinities on the number and area of chloride (mitochondriarich) cells and on plasma glucose level in Sparidentex hasta were studied. Fish were exposed to a salinity of 5, 20, 40, and 60 ppt for 14 days. The group kept at 40 ppt was considered as the control. Samples were collected at 6 and 12 h and on days 1, 2, 7, and 14 of exposure. The results of this study revealed changes in the plasma glucose level and in the number and area of chloride cells in S. hasta associated with water salinity variations. It can be concluded that S. hasta has a wide tolerance towards salinity changes in the environment, which is provided by the mechanisms of osmoregulation and the involved organs, mostly by gills.

Keywords

• sparidentex hasta
• water salinity
• chloride cells/mitochondria-rich cells
• plasma glucose level
• extreme habitat adaptation