Time course of saltwater adaptation in Spotted Scat (Scatophagus argus) (Pisces): A histomorphometric approach

Freshwater acclimatized spotted scat (Scatophagus argus) adults were adapted to 5, 10, 20 or 30 g/l seawater and observed for morphometric changes in gill and kidney histology at time points 1, 2, 10, 15 and 30 days. The overall histomorphological changes displayed by gill and kidney suggest two different phases of successful saltwater acclimation: an adaptive phase with adjustments in the abundance of gill chloride cells and renal collecting tubules, the diameter of glomerulus and collecting tubules, and the thickness of the muscular tissue of the collecting tubules; this gives way to a period with no further significant morphometric modifications.