Cytochemical differentiation of red and white fibers in the respiratory muscles of a fresh-water mud-eel, Macrognathus aculeatum (Bloch)
Ojha, J.
Zeitschrift für Mikroskopisch-Anatomische Forschung 89(1): 143-160
1975
ISSN/ISBN: 0044-3107 PMID: 1199400 Document Number: 83031
1. Functional morphology including the origin, insertion, innervation and action of the respiratory muscles in relation to buccal pressure and opercular suction pumps in a fresh-water mud-eel, Macrognathus aculeatum have been studied. 2. Cytochemical studies were made on the SDH activity of Adductor maxillaris, Adductor mandibularis, Protractor hyoideus, Dilator-operculi, Levator operculi, Adductor operculi, Inferior and Superior Hyohyoideus and the adductor muscles of gill filaments. The intensity of reaction reveals the composite nature of the respiratory muscles. Adductor mandibularis is made up entirely of white muscle fibers whereas others are composed of red as well as white muscle fibers. The Adductor maxillaris consists of superficial white muscle fibers whereas the interior is dominated by red muscle fibers. 3. The muscles innervated by the branches of VIIth facialis is dominated by red fibers whereas those innervated by the Vth trigeminal are dominated by white muscle fibers. 4. The adductor muscle units of the gills are made up entirely of red muscle fibers. This suggests the continued role of adductor muscle during the ventilation of gill lamellae.