Muscle histochemistry and characterization of the different metabolic types in fin and trunk muscles

Four species of Antarctic fish were collected near Scott Base including Pagothenia borchgrevinki, Dissostichus mawsoni, Trematomus bernacchii (all from the Ross Sea) and Rhigophila dearborni (obtained from the McMurdo aquarium). Blocks of muscle tissue were dissected from three regions of the myotome: the tail, mid-trunk and upper mid-trunk and analysed. Thin sections were stained and fibre types were examined under the microscope.