Fine structure of the interplatelet area in the gills of the macrophthalmia stage of the river lamprey, Lampetra fluviatilis (L.).

The interplatelet epithelium of the gills of freshwater and seawater adapted macrophthalmia stages of the river lamprey, Lampetra fluviatilis, was studied by electron microscopy. Three main cell types: basal, ion-excretory and superficial cells were identified and described. Ion-excretory cells were exposed to the environment in sea water but covered by a layer of superficial cells in fresh water. Electron-dense secretory granules in the apex of the cell were more abundant in fresh water. In fresh water, a few of the superficial cells contained numerous mitochondria and were identified as ion-uptake cells. In view of the scarcity of ion-uptake cells, the possibility that the ion-excretory cells are also responsible for ion-uptake in fresh water is discussed. Phagocytic removal of degenerating ion-excretory cells may be an important mechanism for the conservation of materials in a starving animal.