Special skin keeps fish species alive on land

http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2010/11/08/special_skin_keeps_fish_species_alive_on_land.html



During dry seasons when their pools disappear, mangrove killifish can survive for extended periods of time as long as they stay moist. They can do this by breathing air through their skin. The gills are normally in charge of processes such as maintaning the correct combination of ions and water in the cells of the fish. Research shows that the skin or the mangrove killifish is picking up the slack for the gills. Ionocytes are the cells responsible for maintaining the right balance of water and salt in a fish's cells. Ionocytes are normally found on the gills of fish, but on the mangrove killifish they are found in a cluster on the skin. This gives these special fish the power to live out of water for up to two months.



In my opinion, this research is very helpful to understanding the mangrove killifish. With a further understanding of the fish scientists could maybe eventually find out other things such as: diseases the fish might have and spread, other special things the fish could do, and more. This can also keep up the populations of this specific fish. Scientist could continue researching and examining this fish.