operculum
The operculum is the gill covering or gill flap
which is important for respiration. Oxygenated
water passes through the mouth, enters the oral
cavity, passes through the pharynx, enters the
opercular cavity (where gills are located), passes
over the gills, and then out the opercular valve
(gill slit). This direction of water movement over
the gills is important for gas exchange. The
operculum and gill slit are highly modified in
some species (eg, seahorses), making ante-mortern
biopsies of gills difficult. Rate of opercular
movement is used to monitor respiration. The
males of some fish (eg, Cyprinids, including
goldfish) develop small white dots/bumps
known as nuptial tubercles during breeding season
on their opercula and anterior pectoral
fins.
operculum
The operculum is the gill covering or gill flap
which is important for respiration. Oxygenated
water passes through the mouth, enters the oral
cavity, passes through the pharynx, enters the
opercular cavity (where gills are located), passes
over the gills, and then out the opercular valve
(gill slit). This direction of water movement over
the gills is important for gas exchange. The
operculum and gill slit are highly modified in
some species (eg, seahorses), making ante-mortern
biopsies of gills difficult. Rate of opercular
movement is used to monitor respiration. The
males of some fish (eg, Cyprinids, including
goldfish) develop small white dots/bumps
known as nuptial tubercles during breeding season
on their opercula and anterior pectoral
fins.
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