Functional morphology of the gills of the shortfin mako, Isurus oxyrinchus, a lamnid shark

Journal of Morphology
Nicholas C WegnerJ B Graham

Abstract

This study examines the functional gill morphology of the shortfin mako, Isurus oxyrinchus, to determine the extent to which its gill structure is convergent with that of tunas for specializations required to increase gas exchange and withstand the forceful branchial flow induced by ram ventilation. Mako gill structure is also compared to that of the blue shark, Prionace glauca, an epipelagic species with lower metabolic requirements and a reduced dependence on fast, continuous swimming to ventilate the gills. The gill surface area of the mako is about one-half that of a comparably sized tuna, but more than twice that of the blue shark and other nonlamnid shark species. Mako gills are also distinguished from those of other sharks by shorter diffusion distances and a more fully developed diagonal blood-flow pattern through the gill lamellae, which is similar to that found in tunas. Although the mako lacks the filament and lamellar fusions of tunas and other ram-ventilating teleosts, its gill filaments are stiffened by the elasmobranch interbranchial septum, and the lamellae appear to be stabilized by one to two vascular sacs that protrude from the lamellar surface and abut sacs of adjacent lamellae. Vasoactive agents and changes...Continue Reading

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Citations

Apr 14, 2012·Journal of Fish Biology·R E Shadwick, J A Goldbogen
Nov 15, 2018·Journal of Morphology·Jennifer S BigmanNicholas K Dulvy
Feb 25, 2020·Veterinary Clinical Pathology·Nicholas M Otway

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