Port Jackson Sharks Heterodontus Portusjacksoni Research Articles

Osmotic, ionic and haematological response of the Port Jackson shark Heterodontus portusjacksoni and the common stingaree Trygonoptera testacea upon exposure to diluted seawater

The osmo-ionoregulatory responses of sub-adult Port Jackson sharks, Heterodontus portusjacksoni (Meyer, 1793), and the stingaree Trygonoptera testacea (Muller and Henle, 1841), were investigated following the transfer from full-strength seawater (100% SW) to either 75 or 50% SW for up to 168 h. The plasma osmotic pressure was similarly reduced in both species and remained slightly hyper-osmotic to the diluted seawater after 168 h. The increase in the body weight of H.␣portusjacksoni transferred to diluted seawater was double that of T.testacea, with the greater haemodilution reflected by a short-term reduction in haematocrit and in haemoglobin concentration. The haemodilution exhibited by H. portusjacksoni also resulted in a greater reduction in plasma [Na], [Cl], [urea] and [trimethylamine oxide] compared with T. testacea. The ability of T. testacea to minimize body-weight gain in diluted seawater was most probably due to increased net water efflux. The persistent elevation in the body weight of both species, despite the apparent recovery of plasma-water volume, was indicative of elevated tissue water. Chronic exposure of H. portusjacksoni to 50% SW altered erythrocyte ion concentrations and plasma/erythrocyte ion ratios, which could have serious implications for cellular homeostasis, respiratory gas transport and acid-base status. The greater control of water and ionic status exhibited by T.testacea, compared with that of H.portusjacksoni, allows the stingarees to penetrate into the more dilute, upper estuarine waters.

Myoglobins of Cartilaginous Fishes III. Amino Acid Sequence of Myoglobin of the Shark Galeorhinus Australis

Myoglobin isolated from the red muscle of the school shark Galeorhinus australis was purified by gel filtration and ion-exchange chromatography. The amino acid sequence was determined following digestion with trypsin and purification of the peptides by paper ionophoresis and chromatography. Sequences of purified peptides were determined by the dansyl-Edman procedure and the peptides aligned by homology with the sequence of the myoglobin of the gummy shark Mustelus antarcticus. The two myoglobin sequences showed a marked similarity (16 differences), but both sequences showed approximately the same number of differences (68) from myoglobin of the Port Jackson shark Heterodontus portusjacksoni. There are 19 residues unique to three shark myoglobin sequences. As found with other fish myoglobins there are 148 residues with deletions of four residues at the amino terminal end as well as one residue in the CD region. The amino terminal residue is acetylated. The distal E7 histidine residue was found to be replaced by glutamine, as only previously reported for the myoglobin sequence of gummy shark.

Cardio-respiratory relationships during “eupnoea” and respiratory arrhythmias in the Port Jackson shark, Heterodontus portusjacksoni

Abstract Cardio-respiratory synchrony in which the heart tended to beat during adduction occurred in some Port Jackson sharks Heterodontus portusjacksoni during “eupnoea”. Bradycardia was evident in the apnoea and waning phase of arrhythmic respiration: a tachycardia accompanied the vigorous post-apnoeic ventilation. Cardio-respiratory relationships appeared only in quietly resting, undisturbed fish.

Monoamine storage in relation to cardiac regulation in the Port Jackson shark Heterodontus portusjacksoni.

A study has been made of catecholamine stores that may be involved in cardiac regulation in the shark Heterodontus portusjacksoni. The anatomy of the anterior chromaffin bodies associated with the sympathetic chain is described. A fluoresent histochemical study shows that the chromaffin cells contain a monoamine, probably noradrenaline. The chromaffin cells have a fine structure comparable to that of chromaffin cells in other vertebrates. The heart is devoid of histochemically-demonstrable chromaffin cells or adrenergic nerve fibres, with the exception of a very sparse adrenergic innervation of the sinus venosus. It is argued that adrenergic control of the heart in Heterodontus might occur via amines released from the anterior chromaffin masses into the blood in the posterior cardinal sinus, which is then aspirated directly into the heart.

Gill function in an elasmobranch

Highly efficient oxygen uptake in elasmobranchs, as indicated by frequent excess of PaO2 over PEO2 has previously been ascribed to the operation of multicapillary rather than counter-current gas exchange by the gills. Analysis of models shows that, at maximum efficiency, a multicapillary system cannot account for values of PaO2 greater than (PIO2+PEO2)/2. In Port Jackson sharks Heterodontus portusjacksoni) PaO2 commonly exceeds (PIO2+PEO2)/2, which indicates the operation of a functional counter-current at the respiratory surface. The anatomical basis of this counter-current is provided by the demonstration that a continuous flow of water passes between the secondary lamellae into septal canals and thence via the parabranchial cavities to the exterior.