Amphipnous Cuchia Research Articles

Toxic Impact of Zinc Salt (ZnSO4) on Some Haematological Parameters in a Freshwater Mud Eel Amphipnous cuchia (Hamilton, 1822)

Background: Zinc (Zn), a heavy metal present in aquatic environment, has toxic effect on fishes. Present study was to assess toxicity of Zinc salt (ZnSO4) on total erythrocyte count (TEC), haemoglobin (Hb) content (g/dl) and haematocrit value (PCV%) of blood of freshwater mud eel Amphipnous cuchia. Methods: Live fishes collected from ponds were acclimatized in laboratory. TEC, Hb content and PCV% of blood samples collected after 15, 30, 60 and 90 days, of control fishes and fishes exposed to low (0.5mg/l) and high (1mg/l) concentrations of ZnSO4, were determined by standard methods. Result: TEC, Hb content and PCV% varied respectively from 2.48 x 106/mm3 to 2.70 x 106/mm3, 12.02 g/dl to 12.30 g/dl and 28.50 % to 33.60 % in fishes in low and from 2.36 x 106/mm3 to 2.60 x 106/mm3, 11.82 g/dl to 12.20 g/dl and 26.20 % to 31.50 % in fishes in high concentration of ZnSO4 solution, showing decreasing trend in all three blood parameters vis-a-vis their control values viz. TEC (2.74 x 106/mm3), Hb content (12.60 g/dl) and PCV% (34.50 %), decrease being more prominent in fishes exposed to high than those to low concentration. The depletion in these blood parameters may be attributed to the haemotoxic characteristics of Zinc (Zn).

Bioclinical stress of Rogor pesticide in the fish Amphipnous cuchia

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> The impact of acute and sub lethal toxicity of synthetic Rogor on some biochemical and hematological parameters of a fish <em>Amphipnous cuchia</em> was estimated aquatic environment by various pollutants like pesticides, detergents, discharge of effluents and heavy metals induce changes in the biochemical, hematological and behavioral aspects of inhabitants. These pollutants cause serious effects on growth, biochemistry, physiology, neurochemistry and survival rate of the aquatic organism<span lang="EN-IN">. </span></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> The present research work is one such attempt to investigate the effect of organophosphorous pesticide Rogor on biochemical and hematological parameters of fish <em>Amphipnous cuchia</em>. The main objective of this study was to investigate the level of AST, ALT, hematocrit and TLC in fish <em>Amphipnous cuchia</em> exposed 24 to 96 hours to four different concentrations of Rogor pesticide<span lang="EN-IN">.</span></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Rogor toxicity resulted in a significant maximum increase (89.15%) in level of aspartate amino transferase (7.87±0.14<strong>/</strong>18.31±0.09) and alanine amino transferase (76.65%, 5.28±0.11<strong>/</strong>3.03±0.14) enzyme. Regarding to hematological parameter, significant maximum increase (77.12%) in total leukocyte count (27,400±298<strong>/</strong>15,470±286) and maximum decrease (66.07%) in hematocrit (6.20±0.04 <strong>/</strong>18.31±0.09) level was observed<span lang="EN-IN">. </span></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> In this study<strong> </strong>it is concluded that exposure to sublethal/lethal concentration of Rogor results in a significant alterations in different biochemical and hematological parameters and this kind of biochemical and physiological changes may directly affect the survivability of these fishes in these natural habitat.</p>

Some Aspects of Haematology of an Air Breathing Indian Mud Eel, Amphipnous cuchia

Some Aspects of Haematology of an Air Breathing Indian Mud Eel, Amphipnous cuchia

Responses of the ultimobranchial gland to vitamin D3 treatment in freshwater mud eel, Amphipnous cuchia, kept in different calcium environments.

Freshwater mud eel, Amphipnous cuchia, were injected intraperitoneally daily with 100 ng of vitamin D3/100 g body weight and maintained in media containing either no calcium or different calcium concentrations. The eels were killed after 1, 3, 5, 10 and 15 days following the treatment and their serum calcium levels were measured. The ultimobranchial glands were fixed and processed using the routine paraffin method for histological studies. The results of the present study indicate that vitamin D3 can induce hypercalcaemia in eels kept in different calcium environments. Also, the ultimobranchial glands became hyperactive following vitamin D3 treatment. It is concluded that in mud eels, the gland has a calcium-regulating function.

Serum Calcium and Phosphate Levels of Calcitonin Treated Freshwater Mud Eel, Amphipnous Cuchia Kept in Different Calcium Environments

Calcitonin (CT; 0.5 MRC unit/100 g body wt/day) was administered daily intraperitoneally to the freshwater mud eel, Amphipnous cuchia kept in artificial freshwater (0.8 mmol/l CaCl2), calcium-deficient freshwater (0 mmol/l CaCl2), low-calcium freshwater (0.2 mmol/l CaCl2) and calcium-rich freshwater (13.4 mmol/l CaCl2) for 15 days. Analyses of serum calcium and phosphate levels were performed on day 1, 3, 5, 10 and 15 following the start of the experiment. Administration of CT showed no effect in the fish kept in artificial freshwater and calcium-rich freshwater whereas hypocalcemia was recorded in the fish kept in calcium-deficient freshwater and low-calcium freshwater. The effect of CT on serum phosphate levels is variable. No effect (in the fish kept in artificial freshwater and calcium-rich freshwater), initial hypophosphatemia followed by hyperphosphatemia (calcium-deficient freshwater) and hyperphosphatemia (low-calcium freshwater) were noticed.

Morphometric estimation of oxygen diffusing capacity for the air‐sac in the catfish Heteropneustes fossilis

A detailed morphometric study has been made of the air-sacs of this air-breathing catfish using whole mounts, light and electron microscopy, of six specimens, body weight 40±2 g. Measurements of surface areas of the gas exchange and non-respiratory surfaces have taken into account foldings of the surface at macro and ultramicroscopic levels. Area of the gas exchange surface was estimated as 23.915cm2 (=0.598cm2/g) which is 67%of the total surface area of the two air-sacs. Significant differences were found in some morphometric parameters which were related to the three antero-posterior regions into which air-sacs were divided. Harmonic mean thickness of the tissue component of the air/blood barrier was estimated for the whole air-sac as 0.342 μm. These and other measurements enabled the diffusing capacity for the air-sacs to be calculated as 0.0638 m1O2/min/mmHg/kg. These results show that Heteropneustes has an air-breathing organ which is superior to that of Amphipnous cuchia, similar to that of Lepidosiren, but less well developed than that of Protopterus. In addition, Heteropneustes is well adapted to obtain oxygen directly from water by means of its gills and skin as indicated by both morphometric and physiological measurements which also correlate with its life in ponds and streams which are Iiable to dry up.

Development of the air breathing organ in the mud-eel, Amphipnous cuchia (Ham.) : Singh, B.R., A.P. Mishra and Indrajit Singh, 1984. Zoologischer Anz., 213(5–6):395–407

Development of the air breathing organ in the mud-eel, Amphipnous cuchia (Ham.) : Singh, B.R., A.P. Mishra and Indrajit Singh, 1984. Zoologischer Anz., 213(5–6):395–407

Calcaemic responses in the freshwater mud eel, Amphipnous cuchia, to vitamin D3 administration

Vitamin D3 (1000 iu 100 g−1 body wt) was administered to the freshwater mud eel, Amphipnous cuchia, which was maintained either in tap water or a calcium‐rich environment. Elevation of serum calcium levels was observed after the Vitamin D3 administration. This response was faster in the fishes which were maintained in a calcium rich environment after the vitamin D3 administration.

Behavioural studies of freshwater fishes during a solar eclipse

Effects of a total solar eclipse on fish have rarely been recorded. Three freshwater fish species — Amphipnous cuchia, Anabas testudineus and Colisa fasciata were studied during the past total solar eclipse on February 16, 1980. Behavioural studies pertaining chiefly to fish movement, fish breathing and colouration were made, and possible reasons for effects are discussed.

Observations on natural breeding and larval development of the common mud-eel Amphipnous cuchia (Ham.)

Amphipnous cuchia is a rare fish in India with a spawning period confined down to peak summer. The fish lays its eggs in especially prepared nest-holes and keeps a guard on the developing young ones. The yolk reserve persists till about 22 to 24 days of development. Larvae respond to direct feeding even before yolk-absorption. The young ones feed actively on chironomus larvae. Surface breaking habit for aerial respiration apparently commences around 15th–16th day of larval life. Adult characters are almost attained in about a month's time.

Haematological parameters of an air‐breathing mud eel, Amphipnous cuchia (Ham.) (Amphipnoidae; Pisces)

Haemoglobin concentrations, haematocrit values, red blood cell counts, red blood cell diameter, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and plasma haemoglobin concentration were measured on the air‐breathing mud eel Amphipnous cuchia.

The effects of some hormones and cations on the force and rate of contraction of the heart of a fresh-water mud-eel Amphipnous cuchia (Ham.)

ZusammenfassungDie Einwirkung einiger Hormone und Kationen auf die Intensität und Kontraktionsgeschwindigkeit des Herzens beim Süßwasserschlammaal Amphipnous cuchia (Ham.)Die Einwirkung folgender Hormone, Adrenalin, Acetylcholin, Atropin, Oxytocin, Reserpin (Serpacil) und verschiedener Kationen auf die Intensität und Kontraktionsgeschwindigkeit des Herzens beim Süßwasserschlammaal, Amphipnous cuchia (Ham.), wurde in diesen Untersuchungen getestet.Während Adrenalin die Stärke und Kontraktionsrate des Herzens vergrößert, tritt nach Behandlung mit Acetylcholin und Reserpin der gegenteilige Effekt auf. Nach Behandlung mit Oxytocin tritt zunächst eine Verminderung der Kontraktionsintensität auf, gefolgt von einer verstärkten Herzkontraktion. Natrium‐ und Kaliumionen regen die Herzkontraktion leicht an. Dieser Phase folgt eine Herabsetzung der Herzkontraktion durch eine verstärkte Einwirkung von Calciumionen, die die Kontraktionen herabsetzen. Warme Ringerlösung intensiviert die Herzkontraktion, kalte Ringerlösung zeigt einen umgekehrten Effekt.

Gas exchange in the amphibious fish,Amphipnous cuchia

1. Gas exchange and blood gas transport has been studied in the amphibious teleost,Amphipnous cuchia. A. cuchia is a bimodal breather. Respiratory gas exchange takes place in a pair of specialized air sacs extending from the pharyngeal cavity. Aquatic and aerial gas exchange also takes place in vestigial gills, across buccopharyngeal surfaces and in the skin. All blood draining the air sacs is returned via systemic veins to the heart before systemic distribution. 2. Oxygen uptake in fish kept in water with access to air was 33.3±8.0 ml O2STP·kg−1·h−1. About 65% of this uptake resulted from air breathing. Upon removal from water the O2 uptake rose to 44.6±15.7 ml O2· kg−1·h−1, while confinement to water breathing reduced the O2 uptake to 16.4±2.7 ml O2·kg−1·h−1. The latter value was 50% higher than aquatic O2 uptake when air breathing was available. 3. Amphipnous practices periodic breathing and normal breathhold periods last 8–10 min. In the early phase of breathholding the gas exchange ratio (RE) was close to 0.7 but declined to low levels with breathholding. Mean RE for an average breathhold was 0.2. The low RE of the air sacs results from a high cutaneous CO2 elimination in water as well as in moist air. Estimated blood flows to the air sacs indicate flow of about 20 ml min−1 shortly after an air breath declining to 5 ml·min−1 late in a breath-hold period. 4. Due to the shunting of air sac blood to systemic venous (jugular vein) blood, the jugular vein\(P_{{\text{O}}_2 } \) carried the most oxygenated blood averaging 35.2 mm Hg, the dorsal aorta 23.4 mm Hg and the hepatic vein 18.6 mm Hg. 5. A. cuchia blood has a very high Hb concentration and O2 capacity reaching 15.5 gram % and 22 vol%, respectively. TheP50 value was 7.9 mm Hg at pH 7.6. The Bohr factor, Φ was −0.57, then-value 2.05 and the temperature sensitivity of the O2-Hb binding expressed by ΔH=−13.1 Kcal·mole Hb−1. Buffering capacity was high: 34.1 mM HCO3−·1−1. 6. The vascular configuration inA. cuchia suggests a low efficiency of gas transport. A high blood O2 capacity and O2 affinity and a high cardiac output reduce the efficiency loss and permit the fish to suspend with air breathing for up to 30 min with a modest reduction in arterial O2 saturation from near 90% to 60%. The high blood O2 affinity allows breathholding to occur at reduced rates of systemic blood flow due to the large O2 stores available in venous blood during normal breathing. 7. Ventral aortic blood pressure fell from about 60 mm Hg systolic value to 40 mm Hg in the dorsal aorta indicating considerable vascular resistance in the shunt connecting these vessels. The pressure gradient across the shunt remained unchanged with the breathhold cycle and is thus not part of the vasomotor activity controlling blood flow to the aerial gas exchanger. 8. The data are discussed in relation to other air breathing fishes, notably the electric eel,Electrophorus electricus, and the African lungfish,Protopterus aethiopicus.

Control of breathing in Amphipnous cuchia, an amphibious fish

Gas exchange in the amphibious fish, Amphipnous cuchia, takes place principally by air breathing, the main site of exchange being a pair of specialized pharyngeal air sacs. Air breathing is periodic with bursts of active ventilation interrupted by periods of apnea. Active branchial ventilation of water never occurred unless fish was deprived of air. A respirometer was constructed to measure respiratory frequency ( f), tidal volume (V t), total ventilation ( V) and duration of breath cycles in response to altered ambient conditions. Hypoxie water increased V̇ 3 times mainly by an increase in f and V t. Hyperoxic water decreased V̇ was unchanged when inspired CO 2 was raised from 0 to 4%. Higher CO 2 increased V mainly by f diminished at lowered water temperature. Breathing 100% 0 2 reduced V to 1 3 of value in air. At P i o 2 75 mm Hg V increased 1.5 times while at 40 mm Hg V increased fourfold. V was unchanged when inspired CO 2 was raised from 0 to 4%. Higher CO 2 increased V̇ mainly by increasing f while V t changed little. Control of breathing in Amphipnous is discussed and compared with conditions in water-breathing and other air-breathing fishes. The periodic ventilation is primarily governed by an O 2-dependent chemosensitive mechanism. Ventilation is more sensitive to hypoxia than hypercapnia.

Respiratory control of arterial pH as temperature changes in rainbow trout Salmo gairdneri.

Respiratory control of arterial pH as temperature changes in rainbow trout Salmo gairdneri.

Nature of the air‐breathing organs of the Indian fishes Channa, Amphipnous, Clarias and Saccobranchus as shown by electron microscopy

The structure of the air‐breathing organs of the Indian fishes Channa punctatus, Channa Striatus, Amphipnous cuchia, Clarias batrachus and Saccobranchus fossilis has been investigated using electron microscopy. In all species the barrier separating the air from the blood consists of three main layers (epithelium, basal lamina and endothelium). The total thickness ranging from 0.78 μm in C. punctatus 1.6 μm in S. fossilis.In Clarias and Saccobranchus the presence of pillar cells characteristic of gill secondary lamellae confirms evidence for the origin of these organs by modification of a typical gill structure.In Amphipnous and two species of Channa, however, the evidence suggests that the accessory organs represent modified gills. The presence of valve‐like structures between the afferent and efferent blood spaces of the vascular papillae gave the appearance of pillar cells under the light microscope.The structure of these organs is correlated with physiological studies on the degree of their importance in the life of the animal and the degree of gill development

A comparative study of the structure of the skin of certain air‐breathing fresh‐water teleosts

A comparative study of the skin, based on the micro‐anatomical investigation of skin fragments taken from a specific region of the body, has been made of three air‐breathing fishes, namely,Heteropneustes fossilis, Amphipnous cuchiaandMastacembelus pancalus.On the basis of their structure and histochemical nature, five types of skin glands have been distinguished in the epidermis of these fishes.The relative thickness of the epidermis (A. cuchia–119 μm (average value),H. fossilis– 98 μm (average value),M. pancalus–34 μm (average value)) and its vascularization has been considered and compared with other fishes and amphibians. The possibilities of cutaneous respiration in these air‐breathing fishes has been discussed.The presence of a well‐defined lymphatic system, comprising a series of lymph spaces containing small lymphocytes, in the stratum germinativum layer of the epidermis of these fishes has been established.The stratum laxum layer of the dermis inAmphipnousis characterized by the presence of definite areas containing “Substantia amorpha” having acidic mucopolysaccharides which may be related with the amphibious habit of the fishes. This is an adaptation against desiccation similar to that found in the Anura. InMastacembeluselliptical areas of the stratum laxum penetrate into the epidermis thus making these areas of the epidermis considerably thin (about 7 μm) for cutaneous respiration.There is an inverse relationship between the thickness of the stratum compactum and squamation.

The occurrence and significance of ovular atresia in the fresh water mud-eel, <i>Amphipnous cuchia</i> (Ham.)

The occurrence and significance of ovular atresia in the fresh water mud-eel, <i>Amphipnous cuchia</i> (Ham.)

On the respiratory organs of amphipnous cuchia (Ham Buch).

AbstractThe respiratory organs of Amphipnous cuchia comprise a pair of aicsacs, vestigial gill filaments borne on second gill arch and vascular folds of the third gill arch. The volume of each air‐sac, its surface area and its reltionship with the body weight of the fish have been determined. The air‐sac is lined by a respiratory mucosa which is composed of vascular and non‐vascular areas. Each vascular area, called here the ‘respiratory islet,’ studded with hundreds of vascular rosettes, which are formed of collagenous material and supported by endothelial cells. Pilaster cells are absent. The ‘islets’ are covered over by a single layer of squamous type of epithelial cells.The non‐vascular areas (lanes') are the stratified part of the respiratory epithelium and contain a large number of mucous glands which secrete mainly acid mucopolysaccharides.The vascularisation of the gills have been studied by India ink injection methods. The secondary gill lamellae are absent, their place being taken up by coiled vascular loops.A quantitative estimation of haemoglobin in blood of ‘cuchia’ and other air‐ and water‐breathing fishes have been made by colorimetric method and the results have been discussed in relation to their habit and habitats. The cranial muscles which are involved in respiration of ‘cuchia’ and the mechanics of muscle action in breathing have been described.