Larval skin of the flathead sole, Hippoglossoides elassodon.

Abstract

The skin of newly-hatched larval flathead sole, Hippoglossoides elassodon, is described by light and electron microscopy. The epidermis is usually two cells thick and shows differentiation into both squamous and mucous cells. The squamous cells are characterized by numerous cytoplasmic filaments, typical desmosomes, and lack of keratinization; the mucous cells are distended with mucous droplets, which appear to originate in the Golgi apparatus. A basement membrane is present, although thinner and less dense than that of older fish, and the dermis contains loose formations of collagen and pigment cells.