Anatomical and physiological adaptations in Antarctic fishes

Dermal and epidermal chromatophore tissue of two species of fishes (Pagothenia borchgrevinki and Trematomus bernacchii) were prepared for light and transmission electron microscopy. Some specimens of P. borchgrevinki melanophores were treated with tannic acid and prepared for immunofluorescence microscopy in order to study microtubule organization. The effects of dark/light, ionic solutions and drugs (e.g. hormones, neurotransmitters, etc) on skin samples of P. borchgrevinki were recorded photographically and skin samples were prepared for future chemical identification of skin pigments. The behaviour and anatomy of white and red muscle fibres under different temperatures of P. borchgrevinki and Dissostichus mawsoni was investigated. The eye of P. borchgrevinki was examined electrophysiologically and various types of electrodes were tested. Eye and pineal organs were prepared for histological and immunohistochemical analyses. Freezing and thawing points of intraocular liquids in the eye were examined. One of the P. borchgrevinki had abnormally enlarged eyes and was conserved in buffered formaldehyde.