Morphology and Ultrastructure on the Gill of the Fleshy Shrimp, Penaeus chinensis (Decapoda: Penaeidae)

The gill morphology and ultrastructure of the fleshy shrimp, Penaeus chinensis were investigated by light and electron microscopy. Fleshy shrimp has dendrobranchiate gills. Gill has a longitudinal septum dividing them into afferent and efferent channel. Each gill lamella is covered by multi-layered thin cuticle of different electron density. The lamella basal cell is squamous and contains cytoplasm of electron dense. Simple epithelial layer consists of squamous epithelium contained large nucleus. The lamella pillar structures are characterized by the axial microtubules and lateral membrane interdigitations Secretory cells of AB-PAS negative are multicellular gland. In active gland each cell boundary is not apparent and the cytoplasm contains smooth endoplasmic reticula, mitochondria, membrane-bounded secretory vesicles of low electron density and granular resettes. In inactive gland each cell boundary is apparent and the cytoplasm is occupied with numerous small granules of electron dense. The well-developed rough endoplasmic reticula and Golgi apparatus are observed in the unicellular gland of alcian blue positive.