Morphometric examination of the gills of walleye, Stizostedion vitreum vitreum (Mitchill) and rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri Richardson

Abstract

Observations on the gill morphology of individual gill arches of walleye, Stizostedion vitreum vitreum and rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri suggest that the first two arches account for the highest proportion of gill filament number, secondary lamellae number, lamellae area, and gill surface area. Interspecific comparisons suggest walleye contain a larger number of gill filaments, with a lower secondary lamellae count, but a larger gill surface area than a trout of the same weight. This is partially attributed to the larger surface area of each lamella in a walleye than in a trout.A detailed examination suggests the surface area of a lamella is dependent on its position on the gill filament, and the position of the gill filament on the gill arch.