Lately research has shown that this special skin on fish is keeping them alive on land. The mangrove killifish are small fish that live in temporary pools in mangroove forests of Florida and Central/South America . During the dry seasons when their pools disapear, they hole in leaf litter or hollow logs. As long as their skin is moist, they can survive for extended periods of time out of water by breathing through their skin. So what is it that allows these mangroove kilifish to breathe out of water?
Opinion:
Through a series of labratory experiments, scientists have found special cells called ionocytes clustered on the skin of the fish. The ionocytes are responsible for maintaining the right balance of water and salt within its cells. After research, it is evident that these fish are exchanging ions through their skin, allowing them to breathe even outside of the water. It is a special adaptation that these fish have, and they can do it for over 60 days. What a neat process that happens within these fish enableing them to breathe out of water!
http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2010/11/08/special_skin_keeps_fish_species_alive_on_land.html
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