A Guide for the Dissection of the Dogfish (Squalus Acanthias) — John Shaqi
A Guide for the Dissection of the Dogfish (Squalus Acanthias)Griffin, Lawrence Edmonds
Science
A Guide for the Dissection of the Dogfish (Squalus Acanthias)
Griffin, Lawrence Edmonds
Dogfish; Fishes -- Anatomy
On each side of the neck are five vertical _gill-clefts_, each leading
into a large _gill pouch_ which communicates with the pharynx by an
internal opening. Pass a probe through a gill-cleft into the mouth.
Back of each eye is a small aperture, the _spiracle_; explore this
cavity with a probe. The spiracle is to be considered a gill-cleft moved
forward upon the head and largely, though not entirely, deprived of its
respiratory functions.
In the center of the dorsal surface of the head, between the spiracles,
are two pores, the _external openings of the endolymphatic ducts_ which
communicate with the internal ear. Large numbers of smaller pores can be
found on all surfaces of the head, some in groups, some arranged
linearly, many scattered. Most of those arranged in lines lead into the
sensory canal system which continues from the lateral line canal upon
the head, while the majority of the others belong to a separate type of
sense organs, the _ampullae of Lorenzini_.
Make a cut encircling the pores of the endolymphatic ducts and close to
them. Do not remove this piece of skin. From it make a median incision
forward to the tip of the snout and back as far as the level of the
first gill slit. Starting at this incision work the skin off from the
tissues beneath it. This must be a careful, close dissection. When the
lateral line is reached it will be seen that the lateral line canal is
continued upon the head and is joined by several others. By looking
through the loosened skin toward the light the pores can be seen which
lead from the canals to the surface. In the hollow of the skull in front
of and above the eye is a large group of tubules which open through the
pores so conspicuous at this point. At the internal end of each tubule
is a slight enlargement, of denser tissue, with which a delicate nerve
strand can often be seen connected. The nerve strands can be traced to a
large nerve passing above the eye and distributed to the snout. These
tubules are the _ampullae of Lorenzini_. This group of ampullae, which
may be called the dorsal group, is quite definitely demarked. It will be
noted that the inner ends of the ampullae are grouped in a much smaller
area than their pores.
Between the spiracle and the first gill slit will be found a lateral
group of similar organs. Notice the arrangement of their tubules and
pores. Under the snout are two groups of ampullae on each side of the
midline. The inner ventral group is separated from the outer ventral
group by the lateral bar of the rostral cartilage. Some of the tubules
of the outer ventral group will be found to extend to pores situated at
the sides of and behind the mouth.
An adult fish possesses from 1200 to 1900 ampullae of Lorenzini. Their
function is not well understood, but it has been suggested that they are
organs responsive to stimuli of pressure, either of currents or water,
or resulting from depth, or even of deep tones.
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