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Changes in mucus cell numbers in the epidermis of the Atlantic salmon at the onset of smoltification
Author(s) -
O'ByrneRing N.,
Dowling K.,
Cotter D.,
Whelan K.,
MacEvilly U.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of fish biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.672
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1095-8649
pISSN - 0022-1112
DOI - 10.1111/j.1095-8649.2003.00273.x
Subject(s) - smoltification , salmo , biology , mucus , epidermis (zoology) , anatomy , fishery , ecology , salmonidae , fish <actinopterygii>
A sharp decrease to <50% in the numbers of mucus cells mm −2 of epidermis was observed in the skin of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar at the beginning of the smoltification period in 1997 and 1999. Average numbers decreased in 1997 from 662 mm −2 on 6 March to 275 mm −2 on 20 March and in 1999 from 828 mm −2 on 3 March to 388 mm 2 on 24 March. A second smaller decrease was observed towards the end of smoltification in both years.